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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


^7PS 7- <t 


Being a Book of Proofs 

o f t h e 

MATTER PRINTEDON EQUIVALENT CARDS 

DESIGNED FOR TEACHING 

SIGN TALK I ON INDIANS 
AS MUCH ENGLISH AS CAN BE 

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EXPLAINED 

THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THEIR 

A LMOST 

UniversialGesture Language 

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BY 


Jn-go-noin-pa-shi 


Author .of several vocabularies of Iridiarykrtriguages. 
Copy right secured by Lewis, F. Hadley. 


Ch icago address , care of Baker^-Co. 

182 . Clark street. Boom 23 . 


Ma\ 16 lb93 

Of WASHE S - 1 

7 7'/7 V 


CHICAGO ILL. 







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THIS WORK IS 
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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


PREFACE. 


The present seems a fitting opportunity to prepare a brief resume of the 
history of this i(text of printing the gestures of the Indians’Sign Language 
in such order that Indians ivho know the signs might become readers of 
signs, and in the hope, if readers, the signs could be utilized as a means of 
educating the adult class in any matter that could be explained in their 
sign language. 

Having lived nearly all my life in contact with, Indians. I have noticed 
their habit of gesturing in, their communications between themselves, and 
when talking to whites; but it did not occur to me that their gestures meant 
any more than those of some white men ivho throw their arms about like the 
sails of a crazy old ivind mill without thought of method, or of conveying 
any idea whatever. 

But, when the Smithsonian Institution asked collectors of Indian matters 
to take notice of signs and make it a part of their work, I began to 
believe there might be something in it, and when in 1880 the Bureau of Eth¬ 
nology issued its voluminous report on this, and other matters, I became fully 
interested and determined to drop the collection of Indian words and devote 
myself to the investigation of the gestures called Sign Talk. 

Skipping the years of difficulty incident to many new investigations, I 
came to the point where I saw I must aba,ndon the rules laid down for guid¬ 
ance in re presenting signs as being needlessly burdensome, and another plan 
occurring to my mind which promised better results, I adopted the idea 
generally observed in this work. 

All Indian gestures have some essential position, and my effort has been 
to learn that position a id to make a diagram of it. showing movement by a 
dotted line to or from tha t essential position. I also usually represented the 
position as seen while making the signs with my own hands. 

The result was a diagram so plain, that the Indian h imself could read it 
as soon as he learned the use of the dotted line showing the movement. 

When J realized that, I r< doubled my efforts, believing they 
could be utilized as a means of enlightenment to all sign talk¬ 
ing tribes, especially to such as had passed, school age. How well my part of 
this work has been done, I leave for interested parties to decide. I could fill 
several pages with interesting matter concerning the struggle from this point 
of conceiving of the idea and its accomplishment; the years of privation be¬ 
forereceiving any assistance from others, but I forbear. 









































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After having engrared fhr first rrudr diagram# of the dentures while yet 
among the Indians, /rinding nineteen ev/dcs of 684 ruts each with a paper 
knife, (writing their equivalents irith a pen): / saw they irere entirely too 
large and too poorly extend t d to btci me pract'ual, or acceptable 

Therefore. I determined to try to plod friends irho could furnish the means 
ivhile I could do better work. Then. it was that I went to Fort Smith, Ark. 

This was the beginning of the interest shown by Rev. George F. Degen, and 
his wife, Mrs Edith M. Degen. 

They advanced the money to purchase blank types, on which I engraved 
nearly 4000 diagrams, which are known asthe black type. These were 
the first practical font, enough to print the “ Sermon on the Mount” at one im¬ 
pression. The above parties also made a way for me to pay expenses while at 
work on this secondl set of wooden types. 

When the black type was ready. two ladies (who are still my principal 
helpers) advanced money for type, and printing, with which I had quite a 
quantity of printed matter /wepared. 

But my friends were not pleased with the general appearance of black 
prints . 

Then I had some pieces printed by photo process, and the consequence was, 
that both whites and Iad'a ns preferred the ordinary style of diagrams, and 
the black prints were, never well / eccived. Seeing this, and knowing the reason, 
my friends proposed to furnish the means if] would prepare a more acceptable 
font. This is note accomplished as shown in. this work . See appendix, also 
Little Star in same. 

The diagram < in lhe fi.rd part of this work axe designed for a Dictionary, 
also for printing several hundred cards for use in teaching Indians the equiv¬ 
alents of their gestures, and. the mutter /minted on the cards is herein pre¬ 
served in book form These are simply books of proofs, and only 7 5 copies are 
saved. They are not for sale, being reserved for such as have been, or may be¬ 
come interested in the development of the sign language, or in sustaining the 
author while he is inaugurating the work of utilizing the sign language as a 
means of educating the older people by its introduction among them. 


WHO INVENTED SIGN TALK ? 

Some have supposed gesture language was the invention of some one, and. 
as I have been the author of the diagrams of their gestures, some have sup¬ 
posed I was an inventor. 
t JVothing could be wider from the truth 




INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Without doubt, G esture Language is older than intelligent speech, and 
exists to some extent, among all nations. Certainly, it is needless for me to 
call attention to such signs as, shaking the head for no, bowing it for 
assent, beckoning for come, and perhaps a hundred others just as uni¬ 
versally known. 

But : as we are dealing with the Indians’ gesture language, it becomes in¬ 
teresting to study its origin. 

Others have dwelt on this point, and- a-s they have not satisfied themselves 
even, I certainly shall not try. 

Judging from several signs still in use, it is evident that signs have come 
down from the rem ote pad, while certain signs have been modified, or adopted 
from-recent inventions, customs, and circumstances, and, as it is impractica¬ 
ble to enter into extensive speculations concerning the origin of Indian ges¬ 
tures, I offer my idea- for what it is worth. 

Certain it h that Indians h ad some means of conveying intelligence by 
signs and signals, when first discovered by whites • And also on the monuments 
of mined cities in, Central America, are figures making signs, while some of 
the characters of their nn-decifiltered- writing appear to have been a conven¬ 
tional representation of gestures. 

.My idea is that the Indian Sign Language is of a natural growth; cb 
creation of necessity. When we recognize the hundreds of their distinct lan¬ 
guages, to say nothing of th-e numerous dialects of each, we must perceive 
that no one Indian tongue c-onhl be very widespread; that one could not travel 
continuously and meet people of the same speech. 

And the circumstances of the Western plains and, mountain Indians who 
followed Buffalo from one feeding ground to another over vast regions of 
country ivould tend to bring different tribes into the same locality, and as I 
they could not understand each other’s words, it is but, natural to suppose thatj 
some m,"ans of communication ivould grow to become in telligible. 

And, as pautomine was natural, gestures became established, and in time 
conventional, and if long continued, and widely diffused, of course, universal . 

I believe some such a growth was accomplished, at least in the experiencc- 
of our present- Indians, and that it has been sufficient for their need, 

It may not be as extended now as formerly, bub as it now exists, we are 
able to express almost any idea Indians can comprehend. 

At page 193 begins a resume of signs by letter and number, and lines 
b■ tween, showing the length they occupy on the line These are points useful 
to translators, enabling a complete understanding between translator and 
printer. The numbers correspond with those on the larger diagrams used in 
the Vocabulary. 



















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


The idea being for the. translator to give number with name, so in case 
the printer is entirely ignorant of signs, he can set the work up by number 
alone . 

Following these are proofs of Scriptnr cards, translated and. arranged by 
onp of my helpers under my instruction, which, I think, ought to convince 
a ny interested person of the utility of signs for religwus instruction. 

In the lvork of Capt- W P C ark, he says : 

“ Could this work have been illustrated, it, would have added greatly to the 
facility of understanding and making the gesture, for it is very difficult to 
describe the most simple movements of the hands in space so that a person who 
had never seen the movements would, by following the descriptions, make the 
correct motions ” 

Capt. Clark is right, no person who is not of the. most persevering disposi¬ 
tion learns from written descriptions, or that does not have to unlearn a great 
deal beforehe, can understand the skillful, gestnrer. 

I regard this quite as difficult as it would be to learn perspective drawing 
without illustrations 

Believing this, I have seen fit to depend almost wholly upon illustrations, 
and, poor as they are, they are easily understood, making complete and 
tedious descriptions as undesirable as unnecessary. 

Tlxe syntax of Sign Language is natiu'ally supposed to follow that of In¬ 
dians’Spoken Language. But the real genius of gesture la,nguage is grace, 
and ease, in gesturing- .4nd it so happens that this usually follows Indian 
syntax. We say of a thing. ‘‘It is not good,” but Indians would say , ‘‘It is 
good not,” The Indian, syntax gives an easy and graceful movement, while 
ours would be awkward And this is true in most instances. But in any 
case where ease, and grace, are not violated, J usually try to introduce our 
own order. 

Capl, Ctark a.lso gives gramatica.1 rules, in which he. says: 

* “ Articles. conjunction i. an l propositions, are om ! tied, and that adjectives 
follow nouns; that verbs are. used in the present tense; that nouns and verbs in 
the singular number, the idea, of plurality being expressed in some other way.” 

All of which I quote noon his authority. But in the matter of actual result 
articles are often particularly pointed out. while propositions are as plainly 
indicated. See ‘‘Arrived there, went to that place.” The propositions plainly 
visible. “Came to a tdace” is equally plain. 

There are many other features which tend to show that our knowledge of 
gesture language is very limited. 

In fact, there has not, until, now, been any easy method of preserving 
record* of quickly vanishing gestures (I have for my own use an exceeding 
simple short hand method of draining sign s ns small as ordinary writing 
letters, but not sufficiently perfected, for publication). 



INDIAN SIGN TALK 


PECULIAR. 

There are some modes of expression that will puzzle some unless they have 
had some experience in connection with Indians. These are of some im- 
/portance 

For instance, “Arc you hungry ?” Iudians say, “May be so you hungry. 
\.Way be so yon hungry, I give you food.” 

\ In the above, the first may be so means are the second answers to if. 

Take the i cord, irh.cn. Sometimes wc can express it by day. As, day you 
you come, I pay you. 

But the sentence, “When you pray,” etc., is better expressed by ‘'May be 
so you pray.” 

Yon know not, wheth er good, or whether bad, would be expressed thus: 

MAY BE SO GOOD, MAY BE SO BAD. YOU KNOW NOT. 


ON THE FIRST PERSON. 

To indicate yourself is seldom necessary. For instance : 

To say. I leant, simply gesture want. Who wants? Why! The person 
trho say v , want. 

But. when wc say. “ lie wants,” we gesture H E, then want. Or, you want, 
first gesture YOU. then WANT. 

For I am hungry, simply gesture hungry. I am thirsty, simply gesture 
water I liv with IC ow is, gesture with, and kiowa. But when you 
speak of the second, or third person, always sign YOU. he, or point them out 
in. some way. 

Another peculiar idea is this : Suppose you have taken pains to locate two 
cities, one North, called. CHICAGO, one South, ca'led new Orleans, if 
is only necessary to toss one thumb towards Chicago, and the other towards 
New Orleans, in all subsequent references to cither of those places. 

The same j>ecnliavity afijilies to pi rsons. One may be called JONES, and. 
the other smith. After they have been located, one thumb may refer to 
JONES, and the other to smith. 


POSSESSION. 

A few words are offered to make the possessive pronouns plain : 

In the sign for mine, the fist is clutched like grasping the air in front of 
the bo hy, and then drawing it close to the breast This is a perfectly natural 
gesture Children often clutch an article, as a doll, for instances, drawing it 
close, and sometimes turning aside to the left as if protecting their property. 

The primary conception of “mi ne, w w“ it beloncsto me,” Hence, 
the abstract idea is possession. (See mi neJ. 















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The other possessive pronouns are hut variations of this primary conception • 
For instance, His, first sign mine,- then the fist is thrown hack-handed in 
the same direction as the hand is leaved for not. This says, mine not. 
For Yours, the fist first says mine, or possession; then fist is thrust to the 
right oblique in the. direction of YOU, meaning, “it belongs to you,” or yours . 

These examples will suffice to show that while Gesture Language seems to 
us necessarily limited; yet, for atl that, there is always some way to express 
ideas. and though they may at first seem exceedingly strange, yet, when we 
once accept such waiys as allowable, if not quite as perfect as we might desire, 
we soon become reconciled to them, and their singularities are foi gotten. 

FUTURE OF SIGN TALK. 

Every language becomes more enriched, improved, and methodical, by 
being written, ,4s sign gestures, which now require some skill to draw well, 
may be reduced to a conventional method of rejiresentation easily written 
much upon the same principles as were some of the present letters of our 
alphabet. Notably. L. from the conventional drawing of a Lion, etc. 

It is impossible to foresee the possible ivhic.i might arise. If Indians should 
take especial interest in reading by signs, the language will grow; otherwise, 
it will only serve as "stepping stones” to carry them over the stream that pre¬ 
vents their closer intercourse with, their white neighbors- 

ON THE MANNER OF GESTURING. 

In the work of Capt . Clark, alluded to. under the head of Sign Talk, he 
says: 

“ The gestures, the motion of the hands I have described, only faintly out¬ 
line the force of expression they are capable of.” 

The human countenance speaks in the most exquisite shades of significance. 
(Here he quotes) : “The soft silent ironings of love, the frantic fury of hate, 
the dancing delirium,s of joy, the hungry cravings of desire, the settled 
melancholy of dead hopes.” All these emotions are vividly pictured. 

'‘The blanched cheek and scul king figure may at time express a wonder¬ 
ful amount of fear and cowardice, while a noble bearing, flashing eye, and 
determined expression of face, may exhibit a dauntless courage- A haughty, 
cold and cruel manner, may convey more scorn, contempt and hatred than 
could be expressed in words; while a, glance, a, smile, a tender pressure of the 
hand, may convey a whole world of sympathy and love.” 

“ The gestures I have said, awkwardly outline the picture; the coloring, 
and beauty, and force of expression, must be filled in by the manner of mak¬ 
ing the signs. 

The work from which I quote the above is full of interesting matter sug¬ 
gested by his investigations, and together with the diagrams published in this 
volume and on the cards, are the most reliable authorities on this interesting 
subject. 
















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


WHAT HAS BEEN DONE THIS LAST YEAR. 

«As this work is intruded only for interested friends of the effort to utilize 
sign talk for civilizing and Christianizing the sign talking tribes, a short 
sketch of the last year's work seems quite in order. 

When Mrs. Geo. F Degen, the Treasurer of the Sign Print Funds, and the 
Secretary, so faithful for many years, was, last spring, obliged, by change of 
residence from Arkansas to South Carolina, and because of a litigering illness, 
to pause for a time in her efforts for this tvork, two ladies, who had already 
been liberal contributors to the tvork, proposed to take the lead in the next step 
towards completing it, trusting that others would still continue their aid. 

Mrs. Degf'n, the Treasurer, turned over to them the balance of sign print 
funds in her hands, ($58 50 . with $26 additional sent later). The remain¬ 
der of the expense of bringing the work to its present ^substantial basis has 
been met by these ladies who have more than fulfilled their pledge, draining 
their resources for the present 

With the funds so promptly furnished, I have been enabled to secure the 
closest possible figures on the different departments of the skilled labor, or 
etchings, electrotypes, etc. I have gotten out 1 00,000 equivalents cards for 
use in teaching the equ : valent words of the Indians’ comprehensive gestures. 

These ladies have also gotten out about 27,000 Scriptural cards, printed 
in signs with interlinear English equivalents. This set, or sets, of cards, are 
to follow immediately after the Indians get the idea of the dotted lines show¬ 
ing the movement* in g stare diagrams. (Sometimes this is seen without 
teaching, but in some, cases, an hour is required). 

Besides the cards, I have the electrotypes of both sizes, many thousand 
pieces, while the original zinc etchings are stored in safety vaults as security 
against any mish aps to the working fonts, from which were printed the dia¬ 
grams in the Vocabulary. 

Also, as ca tering to the tastes of the Indians, (who have their likes and dis¬ 
likes as well as whites), was expended a, considerable sum for the English 
types used on the cards, tvhic.h, together with a little proof press, and other 
facilities, weie needed, because of the work being so out of th e ordinary that I 
had to do a, great share of it myself. One of these la dies assisted on the small 
cards, and set nearly all of the Scripture cards alone with instruction from 
myself as to sign idion. We were very fortunate in obtaining a careful com¬ 
positor; his wages ivere over one hundred dollars, and, all in all, these two 
ladies (who prefer to keep the left hand ignorant of what the right hand does) 
have furnished, over a thousand dollars in money, besides valuable time, while 
I have worked unceasingly until success has been achieved. 

While, on this part of my report, I feel free to mention S. W. Fallis, wood 
engraver, known for the last thirty years under the firm of Baker 8p Co. He 
has been a constant helper from the beginning, furnishing the tools for both of 












































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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


the efforts to make u:oo(l cats of sign, diagrams; besides, giving me practical 
instructions by mail, (which, alone, must hare cost considerable time); also, 
made several plates, and even a picture of the author, which will face the 
title of this ivork. 

This O-ge-m th Ne-je (Friendly Chief ) made room for all our help, and 
furnished facilities for over six months’ rent free. This, alone, was worth at 
least fifty dollars to its; besides , being permanently located in Chicago, he has 
kindly consented to receive and forwa.nl to me any matters consigned, to care 
of Baker fy Co.. 1 82 South Clark street, Room 23, Chicago, III., fj. S. A. 

Two others have contributed. in. addition to funds, one doltar each towards 
the paper used; but. aside from this, the ladies have born the burden alone. 

In view of the above statement. I think these ladies should be relieved from 
further obliga bio ns. feeling thus, I trust all irho receive this work will now feel 
like “ bearing a hand ” I have enough of printed ma tter for circulation while 
I inaugurate the. ivork aiming the wild tribes. Brit, as yet, no provision has 
been made for my living expenses. These will consume not far from a dollar 
a day. or. I shall most likely suffer much discomfort. Nevertheless, 1 go, and 
trust the Great Spirit will move the “ spirit that is in man” to look after me . 

I expect to take all of my unafl sign types, common types, press, and 
printing facilities with me to use as occasion may require. 

THE NEXT STEP. 

Some talk has been made about a Dictionary of the Indian Sign Lan¬ 
guage. While this is desirable, it is best to wait until the present diagrams 
have been sufficiently criticised by the Indians who are the only real judges. 

On this account it was not thought worth while to electrotype these pages. 

But rather to wear out one type outfit on this edition, trusting that in the 
circulation and use of these cards, all necessary corrections would be suggested 
and a, Dictionary more in Ice iping w'th the dignity of the term be attainable- 

In looking over this preface I noticed proposition where preposition is in¬ 
tended. Also, several misspelled words and typographical ei rors. 

It will not be necessary to notice these, as the whole work is only a preli¬ 
minary to the Dictionary . 

My friends are hereby informed that the foundation for this is secured, so 
far as thesign type is concerned. 

A complete set of Dictionary sign types will remain in Chicago, and to 
make matters doubly serve, the originals of both large and small sign types 
are stored in safety vaults at considerable expense. 

I shall probably have the opportunity to review all doubtful matters, and 
hope to secure additional signs and better methods of expression. 

To my helpers, past, present, and. future, I-return my sincere thanks. 

I am sorry 1 cannot bind this volume for want of means; but, bear in 
mind that this is a. rare work, and when all the copies are in the hands of 
the parties entitled, they will most likely be considered worthy of more ex¬ 
pensive binding than if I were to have it done now 

As this is the last I can print, I can only say that I am going out with 
these cards, and for the last time; that is, that I hope I have enough to go 
around, and remain long enough to accomplish all I have prepared- myself 
to establish. 

Thus, I hope, as heretofore, “ to show my faith by my works ” 

Lewis F Hadley- 


CHICAGO, February, 1 893. 
























































































TO FELLOW-CH R1STIANS AND PHILANTHROPISTS. 


In asking your co-ojtera,turn in this effort to help the hard pressed,, neglected 
wild adult Imli tins, we the undersigned desire gratefully to adenoid edge spe¬ 
cial provision, as we believe by a Did nr Providence, which has enabled us to 
carry the financial burden of this icorlc as stated elsewhere. May His 
Spirit prepare the hearts and minds of the Indians for whom this work is 
done to receive the Gospel Truths which their gesture language can convey so 
clearly to their comprehension. May Ills Good Providence speedily open up 
the way for th,e final practical step in Mr. Hadley's mission, providing him 
with, adequate support, so that he can give time and strength fully to the 
work of persona lly introducing this practical method of teaching necessary 
English to these hitherto intractab/e Indians. 

Mow that we feel unable to do more for the present, while still feeling the 
deejtest interest in this wo 'k and its success, we trust that Christians and 
Philanthropists, especially those who have heretofore shown practical interest 
in it, or promised to aid, it, will rally to his support, ivhile with the facilities 
now provided, he enters upon his chosen field of labor, opening up the way 
for this class Indians to a true Christian civilization and citizenship . 

Being personally acquainted with Mr. Hadley during our business trans¬ 
actions with him, we commend, him as worthy of support and confidence, and 
as a practical, intelligent and, faithful worker. 

His absorbing desire to help the Indians, peacefully aiul wisely, to meet 
the hard crisis now upon them, and his long experience among them, fits him 
especially for the work. His wide acquaintance and friendly relations with 
them, insures him acceptance and success . 

The whole outfit for which we have paid, we hereby donate to Mr. 
Hadley and the work. We will answer with pleasure any inquiries 

concerning Mr. Hadley, etc. 



/ ✓ 


LAKE FOREST, III, 






















































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A 1 . 



Directions. Both fists at breasts, 
thrust them obliquely downward 
letting the hands fly open at the 
end of the movement. 


A 2. 



Both hands backs up in front of 
body, the right resting on the left. 

Then raise the right more or less 
above the left. 

A 3. 



Hold the back of the left fist in 
front of the body, backup. Then 
thrust the r, ( right ) index across 
the l, ( left ) fist in various direc¬ 
tions. 


A- 1 . 

ABANDON - ED. 

DE POS E -D. 

DIVORCE-D, 

DISCHARCE-D. 

This is the sign for Bad, intent- 
si fled by being made with both 
hands. See Card i 7 , 


A. .2 


ABOVE * 

UP' HIGH, More, or less 


The lower hand representing 
the lower object, or place. 


. A, 3, 

ACHE-INC. 

IT PAINS. 

THROBBING. 

IT HURTS. 

Any severe, or darting pain is 
located by thrusting the index 
over the part affected. 


I 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


A 4. 



Extend both index fingers lire 
front ( of the body ) one a little in 
rear of the other, and tltrust both 
forward simultaniously. 


Equivalents. 

A. 4. 

ACCOMPANY-INC. 
TRAVELING TOCETHER. 

Any tiro things being caried on 
together. 



ACCOST. 

TO QUESTION. 


When the person is near. Hold 
r , li. toward the party and rock 
the wrist. See 6 . & 7 . 


A 6. 



When the pai ty is at some dist¬ 
ance, hold the rli well np, palm 
out,and wave it r , and left, sever¬ 
al times. 


This may mean: Who are yon? 

What tribe do you belong to? 

What are you doing? 

Where are you going? 

Or other inquiries, depending 
much upon circumstances at the 
time. One is often obliged to think 
ivell before answering this sign. 


TO ACCOST. 

TO QUESTION. 


2 

















































, 











































I 






























































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. Equivalents. 

A 7 . 



When the party is very distant, 
swing your hat, or wave a blan¬ 
ket. 


A 8 . 



Hold the l, h, in view, then be- 
gining with the little finger turn 
down two or more fingers, look¬ 
ing intently at the party addres- 
ed. 

A 9. 



Left hand back up. Right havd 
thumb up, thrust it over across 
the back cf the l, h. and a little 
below. See 0 17. 


A. 7. 

TO ACCOST. 

TO HAIL. 

TO ATTRACT ATTEN¬ 
TION. 


A. 8. 

ACCOUNT-INC. 
COUNT-INC. 

HOW MUCH? 

HOW MANY ? &C. 


A. 9. 

ACROSS. 

TO CO AC ROS S . 

As acrost the country, prairie, 
eL. 


3 



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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A 10. 


A. lO. 



TO ADD. BY PILING. 
OR . COUNT INC. 


Make as if takeing things from 
one place, and putting them in 
another. 


A 11. 


* 

l 



Hold the l, h, in front, ( of body 
of course, ) and begining at the 
wnst, pass the r, i, acrost the back 
of the l, h, beyond the ends of the 
fingers. See A 20. 



Hold the right hand in front, 
then, begining at the wrist, move 
the right index over the back of 
tne left hand, and beyond: open¬ 
ing the middle finger, and thrust¬ 
ing both in various directions. 


A. 11. 

AHEAD. 

BEYOND. 

ADVANCE. 

GO AHEAD. 

This Gesture is also, used in the 
sence of, More than, Ahead of, etc. 


A. 12. 

ADVANCE GUARD, 
A SCOUT. 


One who goes ahead and lories 
aroud. 

For spy: add oo weal. See C 35 


4 


















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


A 13. 



Hands palms facing each other, 
in front of head, move them up 
and down, advancing them out¬ 
ward. 

A 14. 



Put thumbs and indexes togeth¬ 
er, as ihtitn cl eve, cud move 
them forward together. 


Equivalents. 

A. 13. 

ADVANCE-INC, 


As soldiers: their guns describ¬ 
ing similar curves. 


A. 14. 

ADVANCE TEPEES. 
TO MOVE CAMP. 


A 15. 



Extend the left index in ftont 
of breasts, then place the end of 
right at root of nail and draw it 
to card the wrii t about an inch. 


A. 15, 

AFTER-WARDS. 

IN A LITTLE TIME. 
SOON. OR, 

PRETTY SOON. 
PRESENTLY, 

IN A MINUTE. i \ 

Always refers to the near future. 


5 










































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. Equivalents. 


A 16. 



This is gestured like No, 1 5. the 
right index being drawn farther 
back. 


A 17* 



Wide spread&Jvumb and index, 
crrried high above the head, then 
moved to the right. 


A 18. 



Throw up loth spread hands 
and shrink backward, as if start¬ 
led by lightning.. 


A. 16. 

A LONGTIME AFTER. 

For a very long time after, draw 
the right index past the shoulder, 
thrusting the left well out, separ¬ 
ting them as far as possible. 

Befering to the remote future. 


A. 17. 

A FT E R NOON . 

The Sun, P. M. 


A. 18. 

AFRAID. 

FEAR-FUL. 
FRIGHT-EN-ED. 
S C A R E - D . 


6 









INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A 19. 


A. 19 


Hold the left arm in front, then 
touch it in seneral places from the 
ivrist toward the elbow. 


AGAIN AND AGAIN. 

REPEAT-ED-LY, 

OFTEN. 

F REQUENT- LY. 




Hold the left hand bade up in 
front of breast, then thrust the 
right index from wrist across, 
passing it beyond the end of fin¬ 
gers of tne left hand. See A. 11. 

A. 21 . 


As Indian says. This horse is 
ahead fat. ( Fatest.) 


A. 21 . 


ALL 

THE WHOLE. 


Right hand bach up in front of 
the right breast. Thence upward 
outward and downward; describ¬ 
ing the fourth of a circle. 















































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A, 22. 



Both index fingers side by side 
point downward to the feet. Then 
raise them up out and down* 
ward; describing semicircles in 
opposite directions. 


A . 23. 



Strike backs of hands into the 
palms alternately, two or three 
times. 


A. 22. 


ALL THE EARTH. 


A. 23. 

ALL GONE, 

GOT NONE, 


The hands are empty. 


A, 24. 



Left hand palm up in front. 
Then place the ball of right hand, 
into the palm of the left near the 
wrist, then quickly brush the 
right across the left hand. 


A. 24. 

ALL GONE. 
ETERMINATED. 
WIPED OUT. 



8 










































































































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A. 25. 



Raise the right index to front of 
face, then with it describe a hori¬ 
zontal figure co in front. 


A. 25. 


ALIVE 

WELL 


A man moving about. 


A. 26. 



Raise right index with bach of 
hand toivard the face, then move 
it from left to right, and from 
right to left a feiv times. 


A. 27. 



With the palm of right hand 
near the right ear, thed move it 
backward and forward three or 
four times. 


A. 26. 

ALONE 

SOLITUDE 

Whichever place he goes he is by 
himself 


A. 27. 

A L W A Y S 
FOREVER 
ETE RNA L LY 

7 


9 



















































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. Equivalents. 

A • 28. A. 28. 



Hold tht clinched fist in font of 
forehead and twist, the wrist as¬ 
suming a threatening facial ex¬ 
pression. 

A. 29. 



Hold the loosly flexed fingers of 
the left hand upright in front of 
face, then pass the right index 
upward among them. 

A. 30. 

\ 

\ 

\ 

V 

\ 



Hold the palm of the light hand 
against the right breast, then car¬ 
ry lefticard and outward to arms 
length, and opposit the left breast. 


ANGRY 
WRATHY 
GETTING MA D . 


A. 29. 

AMONG 

As among other things. 

See W . 24 . 

A. 30. 

A NOTH E R , 

Refers to person, place, or ihing 


10 






INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


A. 31 . 



Extend the left forefinger in 
front and with the light make 
several strokes from root of nail to 
ball of thumb a t wrist, back and 
forth a few times. 

A , 32 



Gather all of fingers of the left 
hand in bnnch and grasp them 
ivith the right ha nd. 


Equivalents. 

A. 31 . 


APACHE. 

POVERTY. 

POOR IN POSSESSION. 

Appaches are considered poor by 
other Indians from the fact of 
their being in poorer circum¬ 
stances than the plain Indians. 

A. 32 


APPLE. 

POTATO. 

Any vegetable or fruit. Can add 
sweet , sour, bitter, good, bad, 
small or big, §-c, for a closer de¬ 
scription. 


A. 33, 



Hold the left'hand palm up in 
front, then strike the lower edge 
of the open right hand against the 
ivrist cit base of thumb, and again 
on back of base of thumb, and 
again between thumb and fore¬ 
finger. 


A. 33, 


ARRANGE. 


To fix, any matter, or mend 
something. See R, 15- 











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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A. 34. 


A, 34. 



Place the right index by the side 
of the nose. 


A R RA PAHOE . 


Some say this means a big nose, 
some snut nose. I do not know for 
certain. 


A. 35. 



Hold the left fist in front of the 
face and grasp the left wrist with 
the left hand, shake it a little. 

A. 36. 



Hold the right index horizon¬ 
tally out to right, then bring -it to 
an upright position at about half 
arms length. 


A. 35. 

ARREST-ED, 

A PRISONER. 


A, 36. 

ARISE. 

GET UP. 

To arrive from a recumbent po¬ 
sition. 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A. 37. 


A. 37. 



Hold the palm of the left hand 
on the left breast, then bring the 
end of the right index from a dis¬ 
tance of arm length until it 
touches the bade of the left hand. 

A. 38. 


ARRIVED HERE. 
CAME-TO-THIS - PLACE. 


Arrived here. Came to this place, 
This is more intensified than come. 

See C* 22. 


A. 38. 



Hold the open left hand well 
out in front of the left breast. 

Extend the right index and'■ 
thrust the ball of the righ t hand 
into the palm of the left rather 
forcibly. 


A. 39. 



Hold the open left hand palm 
before the face. 

Then extend the right index as 
man and shove it upward between 
the face and left hand until the 
end would come in view of a per¬ 
son looking towards the gesturer. 


A R R IVE-D THERE . 

WENT TO THAT PLACE. 

In this as in A. 37 the right in¬ 
dex represents a person. 


A 39. 


ARRIVE IN VIEW. 
TO COME IN SIGHT. 


As a person coming ovei' a hill 
and appearing in view. 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures . 


A. 40. 



Make as if pi eking up dirt, pow- 
der or ashes, and sifting it between 
the ends of the fingers. 

A. 41 . 



Hold the hand over the mouth 
and open the eyes wide as if sur¬ 
prised. 

A. 42. 



Hold open fiat left hand in front 
and place the fingers of the right 
hand forked over one or all of the 
fingers of the left. 


Equivalents. 

A, 40. 

ASHES. 

DIRT. 

POWDE R . 

Also fine cloth as velvet, silk, 
satin, soft fur, $c. 

Sift this way and then blow in 
the palm of hand signifies medi¬ 
cine, powder, fyc. 

A. 41 . 

ASTONISH-ED-ING. 

SURPRISING. 

MA EVE LOUS. 

When acquaintances meet after 
some absence, they place the 
palms of hands softly together 
and then cover themouth with the 
right hand and look surprised. 

A. 42. 


ASTRIDE. 

As to straddle a fence sometimes 
used as a command to saddle a 
horse. 

Some may use it for horseback , 
but it is not the proper sign. See 

R. 11. 


14 










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♦ 





















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


A. 43. 



Push f sts to and from th e body 
simultaneously in a determined 
manner, and look as if you meant 
it. 


A. 44. 



Hold the left index in front of 
the face. Then shove the right in¬ 
dex slowly across the left once or 
twice. 


B. 1 . 



Fork the fingers of the left hand 
as shown. Then lay the right in¬ 
dex back down into the palm in 
the opening made between the 
fi ngers. 


Equivalents. 

A. 43. 
ATTEMPT 

DETERMINATION. 

MAK E AN E F FO RT . 
TRY. 

BEGIN ETC. 

See I. 19. and D. 17. 


A. 44. 

AWL. 

TO PUNCH. 

As with an and. 


B. 1 . 

BABY HOLDER- 
BABY. 

The index represents the child 
laid between the forked frame of a 
baby-h older. 









INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents, 


B. 2. 



Motion of grasping something, 
carrying it to the breast (mine). 
Then thrust the same clinched fist 
obliquely downward as if spurning 
to keep it, that thing. 

B. 3, 


Fork the first and'■ second 
fingers of the right hand 
and with palm toward the face, 
place one finger on each side of the 
nose and draw them upivard. 

b . 4. 



B. 2. 


B AD . 

TH ROW IT AWAY , 


Because it is not worth keeping. 
Signs of possession and throwing 
it away. 


B. 3. 


BADGER, 
STRIPED NOS E . 


Stripes on the nose of a badger 
or coon . 


B. 4. 



First make a round opening 
with thumbs and fingers of both, 
hands, then with the left half of 
llie opening remaining thrust the 
whole of left hand downward 
threugh that opening. 


B ag . 

SACK. 

Butting things in a hole as in a 
sack, dish or bucket. See B. 6. 


16 










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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


B. 5. 


B. 5. 



Place the palm of hand on top 
of the head and then sign all 
gone or exterminated. 


BALD. 

TOP OF HEAD. 

HAIR. 

For bald add, got none or 
RUBBED OUT, See A. 28- 
and E - 1 O, 


B. 6. 



Place ends of thumbs and fingers 
tcgetli er so as to form a round open¬ 
ing. Skoiv this to the observer. 


B. 6. 

BASIN. 

BASKET. 

BOW L , 

KETTLE. 

P AN . 

PALE, 

Any round open toped vessel. 


B, 7. 



Gather all the spread fingers of 
lothhandsina circular form with 
their ends touching. Then move 
both hands to and from each 
(ther, as shown by the dotted lines. 


B. 7. 

BATT L E . 
CHARGING AND 
REPELLING. 
ADVANC I NC AND 
RETREATING. 














































































































































































































































































♦ 














INDIAN SIGN 


TALK. 


Gestures. 

B. 8. 


First sign for water, then with 
the right index indicate the form 
or outline of the bay. 


Equivalents. 

B. 8. 

BAY. 

SHAPE 
FORM . 

Anything, as afield or portion of 
country is ma pped out in the same 
way. 



B. 9. 



Make believe putting something 
in between the thumb and forefin¬ 
ger of the left hand as if threading 
a needle. 


E. lO. 



Extend thumbs and little fingers 
of both hands. The rest of fingers 
closed. 

Then with the hands in front of 
face, strike than loth downward 
si mul taneously. 


B • 9. 


BEADS, 

STRINGING BEADS. 

Imitate the stringing of beads. 
For bead work add a design or 
sign for work. 


B. lO. 


BEAR. 

BEARS CLAWS. 


Scratching like a bear or other 
wild beast. 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


B. 11. 



Touch the sides of beard or chin 
with the backs of the fingers two or 
th ree times. 


B. 1 1 . 


BEARD. 

WHISKERS. 


B. 12. 



The right hand back up in front 
of the left breast. Then camj it 
upward and over to the right, 
when it will be palm up, do this 
three times emphatically. 

B. 13. 


B. 12. 


BECAISE-OF 
THE REASON-FOR. 
WHY.ETC 


B. 13. 



* 

\ 

« 

It 

! 

I. 

> 

Hold left hand palm up, levelin 
front of the left breast. 

Then lay the back of the open 
right hand into the palm of the 
left hand, and from that position 
carry it in a horizontal arc well 
to th e right of body. 


BED. 

SPREAD. 


Spread your blanket there! 






































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents . 


B. 14. 


B. 14. 



Hold the loosely flexed openright 
hand in front of the right side of 
body. Carry it upward, outward 
and down, drawing it in towards 
iftie right side. 

B- 15- 


B E G . 

ASK. 

A BEGGAR. 


B~ 1 5 . 


BEHIND. 
AWAY BACK. 
AGO- 



Point the right index backward' 
over the right shoulder. 


With a long time it means 

A LONG TIME AGO* 


B* 16- B. 16. 


B E LOW. 

DOWN . 

UNDE RNEATH. 

Place the left hand back up in 
front of face ■ Placethe righthand 
back up under the left, then lower 
the right hand more or less. 



20 




























INDIAN SIGN 


TALK. 


Gestures. 


B. 17. 



'"—-vex-.' 


Begin either in front or back of 
body, and carry thehands around 
the body at the waist. 


B. 18. 


Equivalents. 

B. 17. 


BELT. 


For cartridge belt acid motion of 
putting cartridges into loups in 
belt. 


B. 18. 



Simply hold the left index in 
front and take hold of the end of 
it with thumb and forefinger of 
the right hand. 


B. 19. 


BERRY. 

ROS E BUD. 
COFFEE. 

OR BEANS- 


B. 19. 



Make as if picking up two piles 
of money and putting them to¬ 
gether in front of body. 


BET. 

TO CAMBLE. 


The two hands are two parties 
who put their money in one place. 
Putting up money to gamble for . 














. 






















I • 




















































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


B. 20. 


B. 20. 



Fork the first and second finger 
of the left hand and ' draw the end 
of the right index from knunkles 
;past the ends of fingers. 


B. 21 . 



Left hand back up in front of 
breast. Then place the righ t back 
up between the left and the breast. 
Then carry the right over the left 
and beyond, turning the right 
palm up at end of m ovement. 


B. 22, 



gers of both hands placz the ends 
nearly touching and then draw 
the right upward to the right to 
arms length. 


BETWEEN, 
RAVINE. 


Between forks or ridges of land. 


B, 21 . 

BEYOND. 
FURTHER OVER. 
MORE, 


B 22. 


BIG, 

LARGE. 

GREAT. 

Always referring to objects . 








































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


B. 23, 



Make a big sweep with open right 
hand in an arc from the chin to 
waist. 


Equivalents. 

B, 23. 

BIG BELLY. 

GROS VENTRES. 

This tribe is so called from this 
characteristic. 


B. 24. 



Hold the left hand palmupwell 
in front. Then shake the open right 
hand forcibly into it, making a 
report. 


B. 25. 



Motion of wrapping twine 
around a bundle held in the fin¬ 
gers of the left hand • 


B. 24. 

BIG NOISE. 

A REPORT FROM A GUN. 

A volley is shown by striking the 
hands rapidly. 


B. 25. 

BIND. 

WRAP. 

TIE. 

See C. 17. 


23 















































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents . 


B. 26. 


B. 26. 


BITE. 


The thumb ancl index of left 
hand partly separated. Then 
move it forward rather spitefully 
and close them. 


B. 27. 



Place the ends of both index fin¬ 
gers in the comers of the mouth 
and draw them toward the ears • 


As a dog or other beast. 


B. 27. 


BITS. 

BRIDLE. 

TO BRIDLE. 





BITTER. 

SOUR. 

SALT. 


Put the right index on the lips 
as if to taste. Then from 
that position make sign for bad. 
See B- 2- 


For sweet look pleased and 
sign for good. See G. 11. 


24 









































.*• 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


B. 29. 


B. 29. 



Hold the left hand bach up in 
front. Then extend the first two 
fingers of the je& hand and with 
their ends describe a spiral on the 
bach of left hand. 

B. 30. 



Both hands bach up in front of 
breast. Raise them upward, out - 
ward and downward, forming an 
arc from the body. 


B. 31 . 



Cover both eyes with palms of 
hands. 


BLACK. 


See C. 15. 


B. 30. 

BLESS-ED-I NC-S 
THANKS. 

I BLESS YOU 
P I TY . ME RCY. 

The Indians crave this gesture 
which is usually given by oldmen. 
To those who bestow presents upon 
others. 


B. 31 . 


BLIND. 


For bashful or shame leave one 
eye peeping over the fingers. Cun 

add, SEE NOT. 


25 

















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

B. 32. 



Place the two first fingers of right 
hand on the lips. 


B, 33. 


Equivalents. 

B. 32- 


B LOOD. 


Color of the lips. If a wound, 
thrust the same two fingers from 
the location of wound to imitate 
the spurting of blood ■ For blood 
Indians use only the index 
and omit the thrust. 

B. 33. 



BO AT . 
ROW-I NG . 
OARS. 


Motion of rowing a boat. 



Touch the body with ends of fin¬ 
gers of both hands and in several 
places . 


B. 34. 


BODY . 
WELL. 


The same gesture ivith addi¬ 
tional sign for sick means 
small-pox. Fcr well add 
sign for good, 


26 














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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


B. 35. 



Pinch up a bunch of muscle in 
locality of the affliction and make 
facial expression of pain. Can 
add sign of throbbing. 
See A . 3. 


B. 36. 



Hold the left fist in front and 
take hold of the knuckle joints 
with the fingers of the right hand: 
shake the knuckles with the same. 


B. 37. 



Hold the hands side and side 
palm up and look'intently into 
them as if reading. 


Equivalents. 

B. 35. 

BOIL. 

SWE L L I NG . 


B. 36. 

BONES. 

POOR IN FLESH. 

All bones . 


B. 37. 

BOOK , 

Move the hands apart and it is a 
book spread out. a newspa¬ 
per. With sign for read and 
left as book, it means law-book. 
Shaded, the bible- 


27 



































































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


C. 38 - 



Extend right index, and begin¬ 
ning above the breast thrust it 
downward to waist, thence turn it 
upward to opposite the breast. 


B. 39. 



Extend the left index upward in 
front and lay the right index 
across the wrist. 



Motion of drawing an ari'ow 
and talcing sight as shooting with 
bow and aiv'GWSi 


Equivalents. 

B. 38. 

BIRTH. 

BORN. 

A CHILD. 

CHILDREN. 

For girl add female. For bey 
add short man. For a baby add 
baby-holder. 

B. 39 - 

BOTT L E . 

JUG. 

VIAL. 

Any vessel having a neck. 


B. 40. 

BOW . 

SHOOT, 


28 














INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


b . 41 . 


E. 41 . 



Place ends of index fingers and 
thumbs together so as to form a 
nearly round opening and hold 
them in view. 


B. 42, 



Hold both hands apart. Thumbs 
up. Ends pointed outward. Then 
currying the right around both 
palm towards the body, drawing 
the left to right near the left side 
of body so as to be palm opposite, 
thus forming a square in the whole 
gesture. _ 

B, 43. 



Elevate the right index, back out 
in front as man. Then lower it 
a little. 


BOW L . 

BASIN. 

KETTLE, 

TUB. 

PAIL, 

Any open top round vessel. 


B. 42. 

box . 

A box house. A square of any¬ 
thing, as a field. 


B. 43. 

BOY - 

A SHORT MAN . 


29 
















































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


B. 44. 


Make as if Iraiding the hair. 


B. 44. 


BRAID, 

TO BRAID. 


There is another sign but very 
difficult to describe, besides it in¬ 
terferes with the sign for mingle. 

See M. 13. 



B. 45. 



Point to or touch forehead with 
the end of index finger. 


B, 45. 


BRAIN, 

THE MIND. 

THE SENSE. 

THE INTELLECT. 

Indians used to think that the 
heart was the seat of knowledge 
and many signs are based upon 
this idea. 



Hold both fists in front of face. 
Then stinke the right down and 
the left up simultaneously in a 
v olent manner and just missing 
e 'eh other . Look excited during 
ihis gesture. 


B, 46. 


BRAVE. 


This is an intensifier. It adds 
force to signs as: It blows hard is a 
wind brave. A great danger is dan¬ 
ger brave. 


30 







































9 


















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


B. 47, 



Strike first one palm and then 
the other into each other alternate¬ 
ly like patting a cake. 


B. 48. 



Place right hand at the groin 
and draw it upward to the waist. 


B. 49. 



Place the fists backs up together 
in front. Thumbs touching, liaise 
the right to the right and the left 
to the left, when they will be palm 
up at end of gesture. 


Equivalents. 

B. 47. 

BREAD, 

Sometimes it answers for flour. 
For hard tack strike the left wrist 
with lower edge of right hand. 
(Indicating a piece so large). 

B, 48. 

BREECH CLOUT. 

Called a G string. 


B, 49. 

BREAK, 

TO BREAK. 

BROKEN. 

As a stick or a breakdown. 


31 










INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


B. 50. 



Both hands in front. Thumbs 
up. Moved outward and inivard 
Slowly and breathe rather em¬ 
phatically. 



Same motion and precisely the 
same sign, but distinguished'■ by 
shading. 


B. 52. 



Both hands backs up. Hold them 
flat in front . 


Equivalents. 

B. 50. 

BREATHE, 

THE BREATH. 
BREATHING. 
RESPIRATION. 


B. 51 . 

B REATHE . 

THE SPIRIT OF LIFE. 
THE LIFE ELEMENT. 

With a divine sense shown by 
shading the diagram • 


B. 52. 

BRIDGE. 

The full sign sometimes is ac¬ 
companied by stream, tree, chop, 
wagon, and then add the flat 
hands, indica ting that the stream 
is covered flat. 


4 


32 




















































































































































































































































. 




















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


B. 53. 



Place the first two fingers of one 
hand in the mouth. 


B. 54. 



Make a big sweep with the fia t 
right hand from shoulder past the 
hand outside of the left arm . 


B. 55. 



Lay the fiat right hand on the 
thigh . From the e raise it anl 
make the gesture for fire. See 

F. 13. 


Equivalents. 

B, 53. 

BROTHE R , 

SISTER. 

COUSINS, 

RELATIONS. 

Any near relation. (Together 
stock.) 


B. 54. 

BROTHER IN LAW. 

A feather is sometimes shown by 
the same movement in front of the 
left arm . 

B. £5. 

BRULE SIOUX. 

BURNT THIGHS 


33 





























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


C. 1 . 


C. I . 



Pass the right index under the 
nose as if piercing the septum 


C. 2. 


Make as if digging in the earth 
with one or both index fingers. 


C. 3. 


Hold the spread left hand up in 
front of forehead. Then place the 
right index under it and wiggle 
the ends of fingers with the left 
hand, as in sign of fire. 


CADDO. 

NEZ PERCE. 

SHAWNE E S . 

From the habit of piercing the 
septum for receiving ornaments. 
A custom now abandoned. 

C. 2. 

CA LAMAS. 

DIG -INC FOR ROOTS, 

Can add sign for eat and 

GOOD , 


C. 3. 

CANDLE. 

A LIGHT. 

A LAMP 

Allegorically it means teaching. 

See D . 5. 

(The right index represents the 
candle or lamp. 





34 










, 

































' 


. 


























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 




Gestures. 


C. 4. 



Extend the left index in front. 
Then with the right beginning at 
the knuckles describe a crooked 
7 ine along the left index. 


C. 5. 



Push the end of the nose up¬ 
ward with ball of right hand. 


Equivalents . 

C, 4. 

C ROOK E D. 

A C ROOK ED ROAD. 
THE BAD ROAD . 
WRONG. 

To do wrong is to go crooked. 


C. 5. 

C AT . 

SHORT NOSE. 
SNUB NOSE ETC 


C. 6. 


C. 6. 



hand palm up horizontally. Then 
draw it quickly towards the right 
side. 


CATCH i T . 

RECEIVE. 

ACCEPT. 

To obtain anything or favor. 


35 


























INDIAN SIGN 


TALK. 


Gestures , 

C. 7. 



th em on the sides of the head above 
the ears. 


C. 8. 



Extend both index fingers as tiro 
men and thrust both downivard 
to left and right several times 
si mul ta neons/y. 


C . 9. 



Eunivalents. 

C 7. 

CATTLE. 

HORNS. 

BUFFALO. 

For Buffalo turn the fingers 
crooked outward. 


C- 8. 

CHASE. 

As chasing game 


C. 9. 

CHEYENNES. 
CUT ARMS. 


GG 








4 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*s. 


Equivalents. 


C. lO. 



Elevate the right index as man. 
liaise it high and carry it over and 
downward. 


C. 11. 



Extend right index as man. 
lie-in above the breast and 
thrust it downward turning it 
upward and ending opposite fore- 
h ad. 


C. 12. 



Form circle with thumb and fin¬ 
gers of left hand. Then touch the 
circle in about a dozen places. 


C. lO . 

CHIEF 


One who rises above and overlooks 
people. The shaded sign is design¬ 
ed to represent a divine Chief. 
Heaven Chief. 

C. 11. 

CHILD. 

CHILDREN. 

BORN. 

BIRTH. 


C. 12. 

CLOCK. 

A WATCH. 

A DIAL. 


37 










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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 
C. 13. 



Dra w the spread thumb and ili¬ 
ft ,v from breast downward. 


C. 14. 



Take hold of the lappets of the 
coat collar and j/ull them together. 


C. 15. 


Hub the backs of the hands to¬ 
gether, 


Equivalents. 

C. 13. 

CLOTHING 

APPAREL. 

Make this gesture over any part 
to be clothed represent the article 
intended. 


C. 14. 

CLOTHING, 

B LANKET. 
SHAWL. 

See C. 13. 


C. 15. 

GO LO R . 

SPOTTED. 

ROAN. 

MOTT L E D. 

B R I N D L E . 

Any off color. 



38 
















































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


C. 16. 



Cast the eyes upward and lay 
the flat hand an inch or two above 
the head. 



Extend both index fingers in 
front and roll the right over the 
left and the left over the right or, 
in other words, twirl the fingers. 


C. 18. 



Hold the left fist bach up in 
front . Then with the right f it 
back up. Xu':e moii n of grinding 
coffee in one of those lap coffee 
mills. 


Equivalents. 

C. 16. 

CLOUD. 

CLOUDY. 

DESPONDENCY. 

One is sometimes. Thus under 
a cloud, as it were. 


C. 17. 

CIGAR. 

CIGARETTE. 
WRAP, 

BIND. 

TIE. ETC. 


C. 18. 

COFFEE. 
COFFEE MILL. 
GRIND. 


39 











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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

Equivalents. 

C. 19. 

C. 19. 


COLD, 

WINTER. 

AGE, 

Hold the fists about half armv 
length in jront and shiver, the 
fists taking an up and down shak¬ 
ing movement. 

YEAR. 

C. 20. 

C. 20. 

The index or h and held horizon- 
t 1'y in front of the r’ght sid fi , 
and from there drawn in a, snake, 
like movement backwards past the 
side. 

COMANCHE E . 

SNAKE, 

ANOTHE R SNAKE , 

A snake that goes backward in 
distinction from Shoshonee which 
goes forward. 

C. 21 . 

C. 21 . 


COMB . 

A WOMAN. 

LONG HAIR. 

If r 

Motion of combing the side of 
the head. 

See W. 29. 


40 









































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


C. 22. 



Beckon towards the breast . 


C. 23. 



breast and beckon, bringing the 
right index against the back of 
the left hand. 


C. 24. 



Hold the left hand in front of 
eyes and shove the right index be¬ 
tter rn it and' the face until the end 
of index can be seen by an observer. 


Equivalents. 

C. 22. 

COME - 

COME TO ME . 


C. 23. 

COME TO THIS PLACE. 
COME HERE. 

CAME HERE. 

ARRIVED. 

The left hand represents a place 
in mind, or refe/Ted to ■ 


C. 24. 

COME IN SIGHT. 

As arperson coming into view 
from behind a ridge or hill. 

















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


C. 25. C, 25. 



Grab with right hand. Hiding 
the clinched fist under the left 
arm. 


CONCEAL, 

HIDE. 

STEAL. 

For steal first sign for catch 
i t - Then add this sign. 


C. 26 - 





Both open hands palm outward 
and carried well out and around 
in front of body as if reaching 
around some large object, as a 
hogshead. 


C. 27. 


C. 26, 

CORRAL. 

K A R R A L . 

SURROUNDED. 


A strong enclosure. 


C, 27. 



CORN. 

SHELLING CORN. 


Hold left fist in front. Knuckles 
pointed outward. Then make 
motion of shelling corn with ball 
of right thumb at base of the left 
thumb. 


42 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


C. 23. 



First malee a big circle from 
front around the rear of body • 
This represents a circular tent or 
people sitting in a, eirele. Then the 
open right handheld horizontally 
palm up is carried by short stops 
around that circle as if handing 
something to each person sitting 
there. 

C- 29. 



Hold the open left hand ivith 
the fingers spread in front of face. 
Then deliberately turn down, first 
the little finger, then the next, 
perhaps more. 

C. 30. 

^ _ •-/ 



Extend both index fingerr. Hold 
the left in front pointed ' toward 
the right ((nd then carry right 
lack outward under and beyond 
the left. 


Equivalents. 

C, 28. 

COUNCIL. 

COUNS E L I NG. 

Passing words around in a circle 
or to various persons sitting 
around . 


C. 29, 

COUNT INC. 

RECKONING. 

HOW MUCH ? 

HOW MANY ? 

If question is intended, look in¬ 
quiringly towards the party ad¬ 
dressed. 

C, 30. 

COUNT COUP. 

COUNTS ONE FOR ME. 

(.Much interesting matter under 
these heads is omitted in these 
cards • 


43 



























































































• 






• 













. 















































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


C. 31 • 



toward some person and camy it 
in an advancing spiral movement 
toward him or her. 


C, 32. 


C. 31 . 


COURTSHIP, 


I never saiv this used. H. 


C. 32. 



FIold both index fingers up in 
frout at about arms length. Then 
draw both in towards the body. 
Shrink back/card a trifle as if in 
mortal fear. 

C. 33. 



Elevate the right hand to right 
of head and describe a circle or 
s]rival against the sun. 


COWA RD-S . 


Two men coming in as from the 
front of battle. 


C. 33. 

CRAZY. 

FOO L I S H. 

BRAIN REVLOVES BADK- 
-WARDS. 

This Is often used to represent 
ICiowas. But they ere no more 
cr izy than other people, besides it 
is not their proj e sign. See K. 6. 


44 























































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


C. 34. 



Extend the left index in front of 
the fare. Then with end of the 
right index, beginning at the 
h nuehle. trace a zigzag line to and 
beyond the end of the left. 


C. 35. 



Lay the right index across the 
l( ft and hold them in i i w. 


C. 36. 



Simply assun e the ap pearance 
cf moroseness. 


Equivalents. 

C. 34. 

C ROOK E D. 

WRONG, 

A crooked road is a wrong road 
or ivrong policy, dishonesty, dissi¬ 
mulation. 


C. 35. 

A CROSS. 


Of any material as a decoration. 
Lay these crossed fingers on the 
breast. 


C. 36. 

CROSS. 

SULLEN. 

SNAPPISH. 

BAD TEMP E R . 
HEART IS BAD. 


45 


































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INDIAN 'SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


C. 37. 



Place ends of both index fingers 
at the eyes and draw them down- 
ward. Assume the appropriate 
facial expression. 


C. 37. 


C RY -INC. 

WEEP -INC. 
TEAR -S . 

MOURNIN -ING. 


C. 38. 



Both flexed hands at eyes, fin¬ 
gers ha aging down and let both 
hands drop downward past the 
face __ 

C. 39. 



Hold the open hands out in front 
the left pointing to the right, and 
the right pointing outward above 
and near ends of fingers of the left 
hand. Then strike the right down¬ 
ward past the ends of the fingers 
of the left. 


C, 38. 


C RYI NC . 
WEEPING. 
RAINING TEARS, 


C. 39. 

CUT IT OFF. 

DONE. 

FINISH -ED. 

COMP L E T E -D. 

CONCLUDE -D . 

END -ED. 

QUIT. 

STOP . ETC . ETC , 

Make an end of whatever is be¬ 
ing said or done. 


43 
























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

C. 40. 

¥ 



Hold the hand in front thumb 
up pointing to the right. Then 
with the righ t hand thumb up, 
shove it outward past the end of 
the left. 


C . 41 . 



Hal l the open left hand back up 
in front. Then with the open right 
make motion of cutting from 
right to left several times under 
the left hand. 

C. 42. 



First sign for horse . Then 
the same sign as for cutting up. 
But only one cut. This is often 
struck in the opposite direction: 
outward. 


Equivalents. 

C. 40. 

CUT OFF. 

As the end of a log, rope, etc . 


C. 41 . 

CUTTING UP. 

As cutting beef into strips to dry. 


C. 42, 

CUTTING A LARRIETT. 
HORSE STEALING, 


47 













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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


D. 1 , 



Both hands back out with fin¬ 
gers spread. Lay the fingers of one 
hand over the interstice of the 
other as if to prevent anything 
passing through between the fin¬ 
gers. 

D. 2. 




Hold the flexed fingers of one or 
both hands pointing upward-. 
Then dance them np and down 
much as if dandling a baby . 

D. 3. 





Hold both fists at arms length in 
front and raise and lower them 
simultaneously and energetically. 


D. 1 . 


D AM , 

HOLD. 

CLOSE A LEAK. 

TO BATTEN CRACKS. 


D. 2. 


DANCE. 

JOY. 

HAPPINESS. 
LIVELINESS. ETC. 


People have to be in good humor 
to enjoy dancing. 


D. 3. 

DANGER-OUS. 

BE CAREFUL, 

LOOK-OUT. 

Particularly to riders over dan¬ 
gerous places as gulleys, prairies, 
dog holes, etc. 


48 


































































































































































































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


D. 4. 



Lay the bade of one hand into 
the palm of the other and hold 
them before the eyes. 


D. 5. 



Both handsbadesup. Carry the 
right over the left. This is the 
physical feature. To earn/ the 
left over the right is the mental 
feature. See F 21. 



Having the hands bade up and 
the right crossing the left (as in 
nigh t). Th en turn both hends over, 
moving them a Littue apart. Lets 
in the tight, etc. 


Equivalents. 

D. 4. 


DARK. 


Impenetrable to light. Cannot 
see through them. 


D. 5. 

DARK-NESS. 

COVER-ED. 

NIGHT. 

God draws a blanket over the 
earth at night. In the morning 
he throws it off. See the next sign. 


D. 6. 

DAY-LIGHT. 

OPEN-NESS. 

UNCOVER-ED. 

Sometimes the light of knowl¬ 
edge. 


49 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


D. 7. 



Hold the flat hands palms to¬ 
gether. Then gradually move the 
right a little to the right. (So as to 
let in a little light as it were. 


D. 8- 



IIold the right hand over the 
r'ght ear. Then make sign for 
lbear. See hear and not - 

D. 9. 


D. 10. 



Hold the flat left lband back up 
well out in front. Then extend the 
right index as m an. Pass it un¬ 
der the left hand, keeping tibe 
back of right index outward. 


Equivalents. 

D. 7. 

DAYBREAK. 


Day a little or just at daylight. 


D. 8. 

DEAF-NESS. 

HEARS-NOT . 

This is properly a compound 
sign. 

Omitted. 

D, 10. 

DE AD , 

DEATH. 

TO DIE. 

Mangoes under. 


50 


















. 

























































































I 










































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


D. 11. 



Hold the left index well out in 
front. Then raise the right as a 
gun sight and force the end of it 
against the left about in the 
mi Idle. 


D. 12. 



Extend the right index towards 
the person and shake it quickly to 
right and left. Assume a defiant 
facial expression ■ 


D. 13. 



Elevate both index finger in 
front and near each other. Then 
move the right to the right and 
the left to the left until some dis¬ 
tance apart. 


Equivalents. 

D. 11. 

DEAD SHOT, 

CENTRE SHOT . 


D. 12. 

DE FY -ANCE . 

RATTLE SNAK E . 

I dare you! You dare not! You 
rascal! Sometimes used ' for i 

WILL NOT . 

D. 13. 

DEPART. 

S E PA RATE . 

APART. 

DIFFERENT. 

I DIFFER FROM. ETC. 




































































































t 
























•. 






































Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


D. 14. 



First sign water or stream and 
th rn place the hand on the person 
to show how far the water rises on 
the person or horse. 


D. 15. 



Elevate and point both index 
fingers donmrvard to top of 
ill udders. If water make sign for 
water or stream. 


D. 16. 



Extend the right index oblique1 y 
upward in front. Move to right 
and left several times rather 
quickly advancing the index to 
arms length. 


DEEP. 

DEPTH. 

SO DEEP. 

Generally used in connection 
with a ford or pond meaning. The 
water comes up to here . 

D. 15. 

DEEP. 

VERY DEEP. 

OVER THE SHOULDERS. 
SHOULDERS. 


D. 16. 

DEER. 

GAME . 

A deer jumps first to one side and 
then the other in its fright. 
















































































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures.. 


D. 17. 



Brn e jy nirself, clinch the fists, 
forearms horizontal and fists to 
front. Then assume a determined 
facial expression and move the 
j'-ts to and from past the sides 
u:ith considerable vim. 


D, 18. 



Clinch the right fist and thrust 
it obliquely downward. Loolc sav¬ 
age as if you meant it. 



Hold the left flat hand back up 
in front. Then extend the right 
index and carry it back outward 
under the left hand. 


Equivalents. 

D. 17. 

DETERMINATION. 

I AM DETERMINED. 

Assume a determined look. The 
more energy that can be put into 
this gesture, the more forcible will 
be the idea . 

Bee i must and i will. 

D. 18. 

DE ST ROY. 

DE STRUCT I ON . 

TO KILL. 

To kill is to destroy. See another 
sign for kill or murder. 


D. 19. 


DIE. 

DEATH. 


Precisely the same gesture as for 
death. A man goes under at 
death. 


53 





















. 

■ 












































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


D. 20. 



Place the ends of both index fin- 
a ea r ea eh other. The left horizon¬ 
tal, the right vertical . So they 
form about a square corner. 

D. 21 . 



One orr both index' fingers scratch¬ 
ing some imaginary or real hori¬ 
zontal object. 


Equivalents. 

D. 20. 

DIFFERENT. 

SOME OTHER WAY. 

I do not vouch for this gesture, 
but it was taught me thus, 


D, 21 . 

DIG -ING, 

As digging in the dirt. As for 
roots, etc. 


D. 22. 



Avert the f axe and look as if dis¬ 


gusted* 


D, 22. 

DISGUSTED. 
ABHORENCE. 
SCORN, ETC . 


54 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


D- 23. 



Elevat'■ the right index as man. 
Tina bring it near the ear and in¬ 
cline the head towards it as if 
listening to that man • 


D. 24. 



Extend the left index in front. 
Then fork the, first two fingers of 
jhe right hand and place them 
(■stride of the left index. Then 
raise both hands together, advanc¬ 
ing them. Then slide the forked 
fingers over one side and leave 
th em standing on their tips. 


D. 25. 



Hold the open right hand palm 
up in front. Th en beginning near 
the Left side, make as if handing 
■sow ething a round to different ones. 


D, 23. 

DISCIPLE. 

A LEARNER, 

ONE WHO LISTENS. 


The right index is the listener. 


D. 24. 

DI SMOUNT -E D . 

GET DOWN, 

ALIGHT. 

As a man gets off from a horse ■ 


C. 25. 

D I STR I BUTED . 
DISTRIBUTION, 
GIVES US 


55 

























































































* 



























































INDIAN 

Gesture s. 

D. 26. 



Hold the first two fingers of the 
right hand and draw it horizon¬ 
tally from in front to rear of body. 


D. 27. 



Form a circle ivlth thumb and 
index of the right hand and hold 
it to view. 


D, 28. 



Hold the open right hand thumb 
it p obliquely upward in front. 
Tlicit drop the ends of the fingers. 
Fring th°m imrard, upward and 
outward to first position* 


SIGN TALK. 

Equivalents. 

D. 26. 

DOG . 

A T R A VOY. 

Before Indians had horses they 
used dogs to drag tent poles and 
light loads . And the sign for 
t r a v o y has descended to the 

dog . 

D, 27. 

DOLLAR. 

COIN. 

MON E Y. 


D . 28 . 

DOING. 

TO DO . 

An act See work. 

This is a most graceful move¬ 
ment, either with one or both 
hands . 


i 


53 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


D. 29. 



Hold both hands. Thumbs up, 
obliquely upward in front. Drop 
and turn the ends of fingers of 
Loth inward, upward and outward 
< ,s in 28. 


D. 30. 



Thrust the fist into palm of left 
hand rather spitefully. Then sign 
not with the open right hand. 


D. 2.9. 


DO TO US. 

DO IT FOR US. 


This is lilce 28, but pluralized 
by using both hands. 


D. 30. 

DONE IT NOT . 

OR HARD NOT 

See hard and not. 


D. 31 . 


D. 31 . 



Hold open left hand palm to¬ 
ward the face. Then with the open 
right hand thumb toward the 
face, lie the edge of the hand into 
the palm of the left Then swing 
i t as if hung on h inges. 


door . 

A H I N C E . 
A GATE. 


57 






















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


C estu res. 


Equivalents. 


D. 32. 



Extend open right hand palm 
up to arms length. Then lower it 
very deliberately. 


D. 32. 


DOWN . 

LIE DOWN, 
LIE LOW . 

. Is wariors. 


D. 33. 



Use either hand palm up and 
strike it down. 


D. 33. 


DOWN . 

C E T DOWN. 


D . 34. D. 34. 



Simply hold flat hand horizon¬ 
tally at side and push it down¬ 
ward. 


53 




























• ■ 


<• * 









- H. 



« 

a 


























































• * 






























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

D. 35. 



Sr.'me ns 34, only lower the 
hand by stops, as it were. 

D. 36 . 


Equivalents. 

D. 35. 

DOWN ! DOWN ! 

In a grave sense, as down! down! 
eternally descending. 

Omitted. 


D. 37. 



Hold the right hand cup-shape 
oral hold it to mouth as if drink- 

inj- 

D. 38. 

t ? 

c • 

0 • 



Widespread'■ thumb and index 
of both hands. Place the thumbs 
about 6 inches apart, and with in¬ 
dex fingers pointing right to right 
oblique, left to left oblique, and 
push both outward simultaneous¬ 
ly rather energetically. _ 


D. 37 . 


DRINK. 

DRINKING CUP 


D. 38. 


DRIVE. 
CHA RGE , 
MOVE ON , 


53 




















































































































































































■ 




\ 


INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


D. 39. 



Hold the right index as man . 
Then imitate the action of a 
drunken man with that index. 


D. 40. 



Hold the open left hand thumb 
up in front pointing to right. 
Then with the right thumb up, 
palm opposite to ends of fingers 
and alittle higher strike the right 
quickly down. 

E. 1 . 



Simply touch the ear. 


Equivalents. 

D. 39. 

DRUNK. 

STAGGERING. 

BLIND STACGE RS . 

This movement is similar to that 
for deer, but does not advance. The 
side movements arc in curves. 


D. 40. 

DON E . 

CUT OFF. 
FINISHED. 

ENDED. 

CONC LUDE D. 

DISCHARGED. ETC 


E. 1 . 


EAR. 


60 

















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


E. 2. 



Point downward toward the 
earth. 


E 3- 



into the mouth. 


E. 4- 



Equivalents. 

E. 2. 

EARTH. 


E. 3. 

EAT I NG . 

FOOD . 

Anything that is put in the 
mouth as food. Som etimes it an¬ 
swers for a whole sentence, as I 
want to eat, etc. 

E. 4. 

EATING HOU S E . 

HOTEL. 

TAVERN. 

RESTAURANT. 


61 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


E. 8. 



Lay hath index fingers side and ' 
* uric, others closed. Then move both 
' forward together. 

—---- 



Lay the wrists across each other 
with closed fists, palms facing the 
Lady. Then ft rk them apart sud¬ 
denly as if breaking them loose. 


E. lO. 



The open left hand palm up in 
front. Then lay the palm of the 
open right near the wrist. Then 
.rub the right across the palm of 
the left and a little beyond ends of 
fingers. 


Equivalents. 

E. 8, 

EQUAL - I T Y. 

TH E SAME AS . 

LIKE. 

ALIKE. 

Sometimes used for part ¬ 
ners . As share and share alike 
or going together on an equal foot¬ 
ing. 

E. 9. 


ESCAPE. 


Breaking loose from bonds or re¬ 
straint. 


E. lO. 

EXT ERMINATED. 
RUB OUT . 

ALL GONE. 

NONE LEFT. 
WIPED OUT. 
EXHAUSTE D. 


































































































. 



























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

Equivalents. 

E. 11. 

E. 11. 


EYE. 


THE R I CRT EYE- 


Shnjily point the index to the 
eye intended. 


E. 12, 



I'oil it the index to the left eye. 


E. 12. 

EYE. 

THE LEFT EYE. 

The two eyes pointed out one 
after another signifies the phrase 

AN EYE FOR AN EYE . 


E. 13. 



Fork the first two fingers of 
either hand and place the ends 
near the eyes. 


E. 13. 


EYES. 

BOTH EYES. 


64 















































• • 











































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

Equivalents . 

F. 1 . 

F. 1 . 


FACE. 

COUNTENANCE. 

CLEAN. 

BEAUTIFUL, 

Hold the open flat hand back up 
above the forehead, from there 
loan v it gradually past the chin. 

The face is sapposed to be clean, 
its beauty divine. 

F. 2. 

F. 2. 





FA I NT-E D . 

DIE AND RECOVER. 

Hold left hand back up in front 
and pass the right index under, 
sort of back-handed, and return 
the right index. 

To faint is as death for the time 
being. Indians always speak of it 
as death. 

F. 03. 

* 

/ 

/ 

/ 

1 

F. 03. 

FAITH, 

i 

BELIEF. 

I BELIEVE, 

I lace the right index at right 
Ircast and caiTy it outward. 

See I think, which is a little like 
this in meaning. 


ee 



































































* 






















































































































I 




































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F. 3. 



Hold th c loosely flexed fingers of 
zither hand pointed, downward. 
Then lone '• it in a wave like 
movement to imitate a leaf fall¬ 
ing. 


F. 4. 



Ext nd the right index and pass 
it between the lips with a twist as 
if it was a stick being ivet with 
saliva. 



Move the hand from the 
shoulder to extrem e arms lengt. . 


Equivalents . 

F. 3. 

FALL AS A LEAF- 
AUTUMN. 

The leaf falling time. 


F. 4. 

FAME . 

NOTO RI E TY. 
WELL- KNOWN . 

A WE T A R ROW. 

.4 wet arrow goes far. 


F, 5. 

FAR, 

DISTANT. 

A GREAT WAY OFF . 

Another way is to push pointed 
upward far outward. 


G6 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F. 6. 



Hold the flat left hand well out 
In front of face thumb up. Then 
with the flat right hand thumb 
up and a little to rear of right 
knee, bring it quiclchj past and- 
above the left, hitting the palms 
together as it passes. 

F. 7- 



and draw the spread thumb and 
index over the left, the light 
thumb passing inside and right 
index on the outside of the fingers 
of the left hand. 

F. 8. 


The two fists backs up in front, 
are struck downward or pushed 
outward, once- 


Equivalents. 

F, 6. 

FAST- 

QUICK. 

SWI FT, 

RAPID. 


F . 7. 

F AT . 

BACON. 

THICK. 

The thick or back of a ktiife, 
saw or other things. 


F. 8, 

F AT . 

This has inference to cattle or 
stock. 




67 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. Equi i m lents. 


F- 9. 



.Make as if talcing hold of the 
right nipple and drawing the 
hand outward to nearly arms 
length. 

F- lO- 



Gesture is made jji'ecisely like 

F. 9. 


F, 9. 


FATHE R , 


See mother. The shaded sign 
has reference to Heaven Father . 
All shaded signs have a divine 
application in print. 


F. lO. 


FATHER. 


In a divine sense in print . 



Both hands loosely flexed above 
the head and move the ends of 
fingers inward and upward a few 
y.mes . 


F. 11. 


FEVER. 

(In the head). 

HEAD. -IS SICK. 

See hot. 


68 







































































































- 






























































































































































ENDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F . 12. 



Both fists shot outward and 
drawn inivard, alternately in an 
awkward imitation of men spar¬ 
ring, 


F. 13. 



Hold the widespread fingers of 
the right hand well up in front 
and wiggle the ends of the fingers. 


F. 14. 

4 

l 

\ 


\ 



The open right hand thumb up. 
Move it outward in a sinuous 
manner, much as a snake moves. 


Equivalents. 

F. 12. 

FICHT -INC 


This is the sign, but Indians 
never fight with fists. This accom¬ 
plishment belongs to whites. 


F. 13. 


FIRE, 

The moving fingers represent the 
flicker of a flame, also the twinkle 
of a star. 


F . .14 

FISH. 

SWIM. 


69 























» 
















/ 






































































* V. 



















































. 































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F. 15. 



The right hand thumb up, 
nearly horizontal, well above the 
brad and wave it right ami left a 
f w times . 


F. 16. 



Hold the open left hand thumb 
up well out in front; then lay the 
light index across the base of the 
fingers on the inside. 


F, 17. 



The open left hand back up in 
front: then lay the right index on 
the back of the fingers of the left 
hand and move both together up 
and down a few t.mes, advancing 
tin m during the movement. 


Equivalents. 

F. 15. 

FLAG. 

BANNER, 

WAVE . 

As a flag or cloth by the wind • 


F. 16. 

FIRM. 

STRONG. 

STRENGTHEN -ED. 

As a strip nailed across pickets . 


F. 17. 

F LOAT -I NG 


As a boat, or wood on water, or 
baloon in air . 


70 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F. 18. 



Both hands rather loose jointed ' 
at wrists are flopped ud and down 
in any convenient position as front 
of each breast. 

F. 19. 



Spread the fingers of both hands , 
then lay the back of righ t across 
the palms of the left so as to leave 
opening between. Then hold the 
crossed fingers before the eyes. 

F. 20. 



little apart, pointed obliquely 
downwards. Then thrust both■ at 
once down towards the left, then 
down to right several times, ad¬ 
vancing both from the person. 

7 1 


Equivalents. 

F. 18 

FLY. 

WINGS. 

BIRD 

Can signify large, black, small, 
white, swift, slow, etc.,to specify 
the species. 


F. 19. 

FOG . , 

MIST. 

■A dark day, etc. Can see, but not 
far, nor very distinctly. 


F. 2o. 

FO LLOW. 

TO TRACK STOCK . 

Make the appropriate sign for 
the animal being followed. 






























































































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F. 21 . 



Hold the right hand out in front 
hark up. Then bring the left back 
up from the left toward the right 
and under the right untill the 
hands are crossed- 


F. 22. 



Strike the side of the right fist 
into the palm of the left hand. 


F. 23. 



Pluce the open right hand palm 
t< wards right side of the head just 
clear of the head. Then move it 
f rward and backward past front 
and rear of head. 


Equivalents. 

F, 21 . 

FORGET. 

FO RGOTTEN. 

LOST . 

STRAYED, 

ASTRAY. 

This is opposite the gesture for 
night and signifies mental dark¬ 
ness, ichile night is physical dark¬ 
ness just contrary to the cut. 

F. 22. 

FORCE. 

STRENGTH. 

STRONG. 

POWER. 

This need not be used for hard, 
rock, metal, whieh is shown by 
th rusting the end of fist against 
the palm 

F. 23. 

FOREVER. 

A L W A Y S , 

ETERNALLY. 

For always was add behind. 
For always will be add ahead. 


72 
















r 




































































» 
























# 

















i 












* 






«• 


. 


* 



*• 










INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


F. 24. 



Fun the finders upward through 
the front hair and shut or twist 
the hand- 


F. 25. 



Spread the first tiro fingers of 
ihe left hand, then place the end 
of right index near the inner end 
on the bade of knock! es- 



Elevate all of the fingers in 
front, then raise them slowly- 


Equivalents. 

F. 24. 

FORELOCK. 
FRONT HAIR. 
MAN E . 


F. 25. 

FO R K - S . 

As of a road, stream or lines. 


F. 26. 

FOREST. 

GROVE. 

TREES. 

WOOD S . 

ORCHA RD, ETC. 

Trees grow upward and slowly. 
See grass. 







































































































































































































































































* / 











































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


F. 27. 



Extend both index fingers backs 
lip and move them forward an d 
backward, rapidly several times 
alternately. 


F. 28. 



right hand and piece them once 
on each side of the n'strils. Then 
sign for good. Assum e a pleased 
expression of count< nance. 


F. 29. 



The right hand palm up and 
level in front. Then carry it level 
to rigid and left several times. 


Equivalents. 

F. 27. 

FOOT RACE. 

RACING. 

Tivo men striving, first one then 
the other gets ahead in any mat¬ 
ter. Also applies to a horse race. 


F. 28. 

F RAG RANT. 

A PLEASANT ODOR. 

Smells good. See stink. 
which smells bad. 


F . 29. 

FREE DOM. 

AN ACCIDENT. 

BY ITSELF. 
INDEPENDENT. 

A PRAIRIE. 

.in accident happens by itself 
Nothing to hinder. 


74 















% 




















I 








































































































* 






• • 




1 







































INDIAN SI(JN TALK. 


Gesture*. 

F. 30. 



SImkr i/our 01 rn hands o • grasp 
all the fingers of the I eft with the 
right hand. 


Equivalents. 

F, 30. 

FRIEND - SHIP -LY. 

PEACE- 

WELCOME. 

A salutation friendly alien it 
would he inconvenient to approach 
near the parties. 


F. 31. 



Hook the heat index fingers to¬ 
gether and make one motion 
usually downward an inch or 
more. 


F. 32. 



Extend the bent index well out 
in front and draw it hack past the 
rlgh l sh culder. Assn me a n air of 
inquiry or look surpr'u ed. 


F. 31 . 

FRIENDS. 
DEAREST FRIEND. 


Linked together in bonds of love 
or friendship. 


F. 32. 

FROM. 

WHEREFROM. 

WHERE ARE YOU FROM, 


73 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


G. 1 . 


G. 1 . 



Hold the left hand against the 
ltody in front and make as if pick¬ 
ing fruit and placing in the hol¬ 
loa ; of the left hand. 

G. 2. 


G ATH E R-I NG . 


As fruit or adding by gathering 
and stowing them in the hands, 
apron or vessel. 


G 2- 



Hold the open left hand well ou t 
in front palm towards face anti 
inclined apt card. Then extend the 
right index as man. ■ Incline it 
backward so as to project the ball 
of hand forward. Thrust the ball 
into the hollow of th n left hand. 


G. S. 



The open hand slightly flexed 
held in front and carried gently 


towards some one. 


GET THERE. 

ARRIVED THERE. 
WENT TO THAT PLAGE 


In this case the left hand rep¬ 
resents the place. 


G. 3. 


GIVE, 

I GIVE IT. 
GIVE TO YOU . 
GAVE. 


76 



















* 
















. 





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A. * •* 





































C 






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■* 






























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

Equivalents. 

G. 4. 

G. 4. 


GIVE ME , 

The slightly flexed open right 
hand well oat from the body is 
drawn toward the right breast. 

GIVE IT TO ME. 

G. 5. 

G. 5. 


GO . 

GO AWAY. 

GET OUT FROM HERE. 

The open right hand hanging 
near the right side, thumb up, is 
raised in an are outward to arms 
length. If imperative, assume a 
con i manding appea ra nee. 

rin imperative, but may be used 
passively, as i GO. we GO. 

G. 6. 

G. 6. 

Jfc* 

/ 

GO AWAY, GO AWAY. 

The mueh flexed and limber 
jointed fingers are flipped from 
breasts outward with a peculiar 
facial expression. 



77 
















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 




Gestures. 


G- 7. 



Touch the chin or beard with the 
Lacks of the fingers. 


G. 8- 



Fork th e first tivo fingers of th e 
light hand and hold them a little 
/dun e the head in, front of face anl 
ft cist the wrist so as to show the 
hand- first one side out and flu n 
the other side several times. 


G. 9. 



Oj.cn right hand palm up in 
front of moutie: then carry it 
horizontally in a circular move¬ 
ment, raising the hand at the 
same time to indicate vapor ris¬ 
ing from the breath. 


Equivalents. 

G. 7. 


COAT . 
BEARD, 


G. 8. 

GOD. 

MYSTERY ABOVE. 

SACRED. 

MYSTERIOUS. 

UNKNOWN . 

This is the Northern sign which 
signifies the great mys¬ 
tery. 

Twisting the wrist and forked 
fingers means something un- 
know. Near the Ice art, it means 
the heart does not know. Over the 
face or forehead, the mind does 
not know: the forked fingers show 
two diverging points or thoughts. 

G. 9. 

GOD. 

THE GREAT SPIRIT. 

THE FATHER OF LIFE. 

THE BREATH OF LIFE. 

Vapor is a visible sense of the 
atmosphere and it rises in a cir¬ 
cular or spiral form, hence, this 
gesture. 


78 












♦ 



























































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


G. IO. 



With all the widespread fingers 
]minted towavd or touching each 
other, hold them in front of face. 


G. 11. 



Right hand hack up, thumb 
touching hr east hone, move it 
straight out on a level in front. 


E (puna, l en ts. 

G. IO. 

GONE. 

A CLOSED CAMP . 
ABSENT. 

A COVERED OPENING. 


G. 11. 

GOOD . 

GLAD. 

RIGHT. 

Level with the heart, therefore, 
good. 


G. 12. 



Both hands hacks up in front. 
The right over the left w ll toward, 
the forearm, both pointed oblique¬ 
ly downward. Then slide the hand 
well down beyond the left. 


G. 12. 


GLIDE. 

SLIDE. 

DESCEND. 

PRECIPITATE. 


79 














INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

G. 13. 



Motion of putting a glove on the 
left hand. 


Equivalents. 

G. 13. 

GLOVE. 

MITTEN. 

Simply sign of clothing put over 
the hand. 


G. 14. 





Hold the bach of either hand 
down toward the earth, all the fin¬ 
gers pointed upward. Then raise 
the hand slowly. 

G. IE. 


Y- 



Elevate the index of either hand 
and lower the hand near the 
ground' and th en rise i t gradual / y, 
heejting the index pointed up¬ 
ward. 


G. 14. 


G ROW - I NG , 
G ROWTH , 


From the ground. 


G , 15. 


G ROW , 


As a sprout. 


80 























♦ 

































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


G.s 16. 



Elevate all the fingers of one 
hand and place the back of it 
near the earth. Hold it in that 
position a moment. 

G. 17. 



Hold the hand cup-shape , hold 
it level and lower it gradually to¬ 
ward the ground. 


G. 18. 



Hold the open flat hand palm 
up in front, then extend the first 
two fingers of the right hand, and 
with their ends, rub in a circular 
movement at the bate of the 
th umb. 


Equivalents. 

G. 16. 


GRASS. 

Similar to 14, but the hand 
does not rise. 


G. 17. 

GRAVE. 

A FUNERAL. 

TO BURY, 

A hole in the ground. A burial 
place. Is GRAVES MANY. 

Dead sit (there understood). 

G. 18. 

GREASE. 

MIXING PAINT. 

For ornamenting the person. 












INDIAN SIGN TALK . 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


H . O 1 . 


H . O I . 



Hold the. bent thumb and index 
so as to form a circular opening. 
Then lay the right index across it 
so as to divide it in halves. 


H . 1 . 



The flat right hand is placed'■ 
upright between the breasts. Taen 
move it left and right from one 
breast to the other several times. 


H - 2- 



Pat the backs of both hands 
alternately. 


HALF. 

HALF A DOLLAR. 


Half of any round object. 


H . 1 . 

HALF BREED. 
HALF ONE WAY . 
HALF THE OTHE R . 
MONG R E L . 

MIXED B LOOD. 


H . 2. 

HANDS. 


Patting any part of person re¬ 
fers to that part. 


82 






























































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


H . 3. 



Hold the palm towards the eyes 
and took into it as if pleased. 


H . 4. 



Hold the hand above the ear 
with, the index pointed dot onward 
by the neck and draw it upward 
with a jerk. 


H - sj. 



Extend the left index palm up 
in front, then crook the right in- 
de.r, with back to breast and hang 
it over the left. 


Equivalents. 

H . 3. 

HANDSOME, 

A MIRROR. 
VANITY. 


H . 4. 

HANG. 

HUNG. 


H. 5. 

HANG. 

SUSPEND -ED. 

.As to hang up clothing, meat or 
other things • 


83 


















INDIAN SICN TALK. 


Gestures. 


H . 6. 



Hold the open left hand palm 
faring the body, then thrust the 
right fist forcibly into the palm of 
th" hft. 

H . 7. 



First make the sign for bread , 
then strike the lower edge of the 
right hand down on to extended 

left wrist, it being palm up. 

» 


H . 8 . 



Both flat hands palms towards 
top of head and pointing to war., s 
each other are drawn down simul¬ 
taneously. 


Equivalents. 

H . 6. 

HARD. 

ROCK. 

METAL. 

HARD WOOD ETC. 

See force, etc., which is struck, 
instead of thrust. 


H . 7. 

HARD TACK. 


H , 8. 

HAT. 

BONNET. 


84 






































































































































































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture. 


Equivalents, 


H . 9. 


H. 9. 



Lay both flat hands on the fore¬ 
head 


H. 10. 



Tjay one hand over the front of 
the head. 


HEAD. 

FO R E H E A D . 

This is the only safe distinction 
between the head and pends of 
same. See brain, hair,ear, 
etc. 

H . 1 O. 

HEAD. 

FOREHEAD. 

Simply another form of No. 9. 


H. 11 . 


H. 11 . 



Hold the open hand toward the 
ear and assume a listening atti¬ 
tude. 


HEAR. 

HARK. 

LISTEN. 

I AM LISTENING. 
OBEDIENCE. 

To hear is to obey . 


8 o 










INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


Equivalent*.. 


H . 12. 



The loosely flexed hands are 
1 1 el<1 above each side of the head, 
fingers hanging doirn, and both. 
hands moved downward, together. 


H . 13. 



Hang the right hand downward 
in front of and between the breasts . 


H . 12. 


hot . 

HEAT. 

WARM. 


H . 13. 


HEART. 


H . 14. 



Make a big sweep with both open 
hands from, downward up in big 
arc, meeting the hands in front 
and higher than the head, mak¬ 
ing the outline of a beehive form _ 


H . 14. 


HEAP. 
MUCH . 


In quantity 


86 


































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 

H , 15. 



Simply point towards the shy 
udth inae.v. 


H . 10. 



Point towards the shy with rev¬ 
erence. 


H. 17. 



Malee as if lifting some heavy 
weight from the ground. 


Equivalent w. 

H . 15. 

H E AV E N . 

SKY. 

ZENITH. 

HIGH ETC. 

See H. 1 6. 


H. 16. 

HEAVEN. 


The abode of the righteous, tlic 
dwelling plaee of God. Shaded 
diagrams distinguish the divine 
sense from the ordinary in printed 
matters. 

H. 17. 

HEAVY. 


87 



























































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


H 18. 



( V ft,frh the r/rfh t fist as if gras]i- 
tuq' smnething and thrust it un¬ 
der the le]t arm. 


H . 19. 



The hands palm to palm are 
drairn quickly apart a short dis¬ 
tance. 


H- 20. 



Elevate the thumb and toss the 
fist toward the person referred to. 


Equivalents. 

H . 18. 

HIDE. 

CONC E A L. 

SECRET. 

STEALING. 

STOLEN. 

If for theft, then precede this by 

CATCH. 


H . 19. 

HIDE. 

A SKIN. 

TO SKIN. 

See skin. 


H . 20. 

H E . 

HIM. 

HER. 

THAT PE RSON . 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

H . 21 . 





Elevate the thumb and move it 
tk arly straight upward past the 
front of forehead. 


H. 22. 



Cluteh the fist, bring it to breast, 
th en throw it from the breast in a 
bm lc-ha nd ed ma nner. 


H . 23. 



Simply a variation of 20, the 
pst which is carried up and out¬ 
ward forming an upward curve . 

- 


Equivalents. 

H . 21 . 

HIM. 

H E . 


The shaded s : gn always re¬ 
ferring to God in print. 


H. 22. 

HIS. 

HERS. 

ITS. 

If absent the pst is struck back¬ 
handed around to rear. (Shaded, 
signs refers to God in printed mat¬ 
ter). 

H . 23. 

HIS. 

THINE. 

See 22. The above would not be 
introduced were it not that learn¬ 
ers might take it for a variation in 
the signipcation. 


89 


















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

H . 24. 



The right fist back up, starting 
fnmncar the nose, is moved up 
and down several times by wrist 
action and canned outward at the 
sa me time 


H. 25- 



First make a nearly round open¬ 
ing with the thumbs and, index 
fingers of both hands, then leaving 
the left half in position, place the 
end, of the right index into the re¬ 
maining half or between thumb 
anddndex of the left hand. 

H . 26. 



The right hand backup is drawn 
from the left to right side of the 
body about breast h igh. 


Equivalents. 
H. 24. 


HOG , 


The slang term of root hog or 
d.e is sometimes thus expressed. 


H. 25. 

HOLE. 

AN OPEN I NG . 


As an auger hole. See bag, 
whicch inserts the whole hand. 


H . 26 . 

HORSE. 

SO HIGH. 

Tasked hundreds oflndinns to tel l 
m e the conception, but ni ne seemed 
to know . Finally I caught it from 
a white man saying, "He is a big 
horse. He is way up here,” (so 
high), using this same sign- 


90 












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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


H 27. 



Dvmv the open riglit hand baelc 
7i j> across the breasts. 



Extend the left index about 
breast high in front, then, fork the 
prst two fingers of the right hand 
and place them astrale the left 
index, then jump both hands Jor- 
ir<n d progressively two or three 
times. 


H . 29. 



pointed. ou t a;a i d and placed on 
the side of the head. 


H. 27. 


HORSE. 
PON Y . 


A horse’s back is so high, 
draicing the hand across th e body 
at the supposed height of the 
animal. 

H . 28. 


HORSE. 
HORSEBACK. 
PON Y . 
RIDING. 


H. 29. 


HORNS. 

HORNED STOCK. 


The same as cattle. For cow, 
add female. For ox, add male. 



91 












































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


Equivalents. 


H. 30- 


H . 30. 



Elevate both open hands toward 
y'dcs of head and assume the 
nrressary facial expression to ex¬ 
press something extremely horri- 

flfi^g- _ 

H . 31 . 



The spread fingers are interlock¬ 
ed near their tips, leaving the ends 
slightly projecting, both hands in¬ 
clined to center as a gable end of a 
buih ling. 

H . 32. 



tween the shoulder blades and 
stoop so as to hump the shoulder. 


HORROR. 

HORRIBLE. 

AWFUL. 

TERRIBLE. 

Sorry, the diagram does not con ¬ 
vey the idea. Learner must draw 
upon his imagination to supply 
deficiency. 

H . 31 . 

HOUSE, 

A FRAME OR LOG HOUSE. 

The projecting ends of the fingers 
represent projecting ends of logs, 
common in log houses. 


H. 32. 

HUMP . 

HUMP ED BACK . 

WILD. 

As cattle or Buffalo, (probably 
from the humped shoulders of a 
Buffalo). 




92 









INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


H. 33. 



Stoop forward and saw the bellry 
several times with the open right 
hand hack up. 


H . 33- 

hunger. 

HUNGRY. 

I AM HUNGRY. 
FAMI SHED -I NG 

Hunger cuts one in tivo. 


H. 34. 



The much-flexed and loosely- 
jointed fingers are flipped outivavd 
several times by wrist motion from 
below the breasts. 


H. 34. 


HU R RY ! HU R RY ! 
HUR RY UP ! 

BE LIVELY ETC. 


See GO AWAY, ETC. 


H . 35. 


The breast is touched with the 
right index, then the index is 
carried up in front of face turned 
back outward as man. 


H . 35- 


HUSBAND. 

I HAVE A HUSBAND. 


Literally, I have a man. The 
right index being the man. (Pos¬ 
sessionbeing understood). A female 
saying, me man would not be 
supposed to say, (she was a man.) 




93 








































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture.s. 


1 . 1 . 



Simply indicate yourself ly 
pointing index towards your 
In east. 


Equivalents. 

1.1. J 

I . 

M E , 

MY S E L F. 

SELF. 

In answer to questions as, whose 
is this f It means mine . 


1 . 2 . 



Place the end of the right index 
Inst under the left breast, then 
wove it straight outward, perhaps 



Gesture precisely as I. 2. , but 
Tilth revercuee,as ly uplifted eyes. 


I. 2. 


I BELIEVE. 
I THINK. 


The nearest single gesture an¬ 
swering to faith, the shaded sign 
is so termed. 


I. 3. 


I BELIEVE. 

FAITH, 

CHRISTIAN BELIEF. 


Precisely the same gesture as I. 
2. , but shaded to signify the 
h igh er sense in print. 


94 














INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


I . 4. 



Point or sort of poke the right in¬ 
dex toward' or even past the ear 
toward the face• 


I. 5. 



Both open hands palm up and 
well apart in front, then move 
them toward each other slowly 
until they meet. 


1 . 6 . 



Elevate the right thumb, extend 
the righ t index, other fingers being 
closed. Then place the hand un¬ 
der the left breast and move it 
straight outward. 


Equivalents. 

U 4. 

I HEAR. 

THE HEARINC. 

THE EAR. 

Sound goes in at the ear. 


1. 5. 

ICE. 

Ice begins at the shores and 
closes at the center, as do"S this 
gesture. 


I- 6. 

I K NOW I T 
K NOW LEDGE, 

I UNDE RSTAND I T . 


95 
















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

1. 7 . 

? * 


• i 

• t 

• t 



Both hands precisely as the, 
right in I. 6. and move them hath 
ontward simultaneously and, as¬ 
sume a sort of, you can’t fool me! 
look. 


I. 8. 



Make a nearly round opening 
with thumb and index of tlve left 
hand. Then put the end of the 
right index into that opening. 

1. 9. 



Place the hands palm to palm 
and then draw them apart by 
several short jerks. 


Equivalents 

I. 7. 

I K NOW V E R Y W E L L . 

I KNOW WELL ENOUCH, 

This is peculiar, as I know it 
just as well as I want to. (Yet, not 
certainly). 


1 , 8 . 

I N . 

INSIDE OF. 
WITHIN. 

TO PUT IN ETC . 


I . 9. 

I NCREAS -INC. 
GETTINF WIDE -R. 
EXP ANS I ON . ETC . 


96 


































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


1. 10. 



Hold the flat left hand back up 
in front and rub it from wrist to 
knuckles, back and forth, two or 
more times. 



Hold the loosely closed fingers 
near the Ups and snap them out¬ 
ward. 


I . 12. 



The open flat hand palm up 
near the chin, then carry the 
hand straight outward. 


Equivalents. 

1. lO. 

INDIAN. 

B ROWN COLOR. 

ONE OF LIKE COLOR . 
ANY DA RK COLOR . 

Rubbing the back of the hand in 
this manner means color of the 
skin 


1 . 11 . 

I SAY. 

SAID. 

TALKED. 

I say to you signified by carry¬ 
ing the fingers well toward the 
party addressed. 


I. 12 • 

I S A Y TO YOU . 

I TELL YOU. 

I will explain or interpret it, 
(carrying the words from the 
mouth. 


97 










INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


I . 13 . 



Fork the first tiro fingers of the, 
right hand and place them before 
the eyes and move them outward. 


1 . 14 . 



with the fingers of the other. 



Extend the right index, place it 
it above the breast and. thrust it 
with a twist, so as to leave the hand 
palm out after passing the breast. 


I. 13. 

I SEE. 

TO SEE. 
SIGHT. 


I . 14. 

ITCHING. 

THE I TCH . 


I . 15. 

I THINK. 

I THOUGHT. 

A THOUGHT. 

(A thought pierces the heart.) 


98 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


I . 16 . 



Fee above sign No. 1 5 for I th ink. 
. if ter the hand reaches the end 
of that gesture wave it fiat bark 
Jtanded to the right. 


1 . 17 . 



Hook the right index and draw 
it from forehead to past the chin 
in an outward curve. 


1 . 18 . 



Elevate the right, index above 
the side of the head and shake it 
rapidly to imitate the rattling if 
the snake’s tail- 


Equivalents. 

I . 16 . 

I THINK NOT . 

I BELIEVE IT NOT 


M’ith the sign for separate it is 
the proper way to express a DIF¬ 
FERENCE OF OPINION, as 
I thi nk d iff event. The ba ek h a ml 
stroke signifies not. 

1 . 17 . 

I WANT -I T 

I AM IN NEED -OF. 

To say I want that thing, point 
to it ami then make this sign or 
point and sign, give me- 


I . 18. 

I WILL NOT. 

Sometimes wrongly used when 
onIy no is meant. 

I DEFY YOU . 

A RATTLE SNAKE. 

Or the sound of its rattle, a 
warning sign. 


99 









INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


I . 19. 


19. 



Clinch the fists mul push them 
hark and forth past the sides n'ith 
a show of more or less determina¬ 
tion. Assume a determined ex¬ 
pression of face and pose of body 
to suit the degree of force intend> d. 

1 , 20 . 


I MUST. 
I WILL. 
I SHALL 


I- 20. 



wave the opened right hand to the 
right rather emphatically. 


J . 1 - 



Hold the right index hack out 
as man toward the right side of 
neck and raise it up to arms 
length, twisting the wrist and 
forearm, so as to show the palm 
out at extreme height. 


i mu s t not. 

I DARE NOT. 

I WILL NOT. 

I SHALL NOT ETC. 

Simply add sign for not . 


J. 1 . 


JESUS. 

A S AV IOU R . 
SAVED. 


This is derived from the idea of 
safe. See that sign under 

s . 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


J . 2. 



Place the anus akimbo and 
more the elbows up and down in 
a fidgety manner • 


J. 2. 


Jealous. 
FIDGETY. ETC. 


J. 3. 


J. 3. 



Place the ends of the thumb 
and fingers of right hand on a 
level surface and jum p them for¬ 
ward two or three times. 



Hold the left index up in front, 
grasp it with the right hand and 
draw it to the breast. 


K . 1 . 


KEEP -IT. 


Take it to yourself 


101 


















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equi valen ts. 


K- 2« 


K. 2. 



+ 

Hold the loosely f 'lexer! fingers 
os high os the head and thrust 
the bond obliquely downward as 
if jabbing something lying on the 
ground. 


K. 3. 



Tightly clinch tlve right fist and 
thrust it obliquely downward very 
forcibly. 


KILL. 

MURDER. 

WICKEDNESS. 

It is wicked to kill. 


K. 3. 

KILL ETC. 


This is simply another form of 

K 2. 


K. 4. 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
right handy raise above right side 
of the head and whirl them with 
the sun. 


K . 4. 


MEDICINE. 


But often made for KIOWA. 
See K. 4. and 5. (This sign circles 
with the sun therefor in perfect 
order)' 


I 02 


















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


K . 5. 



Hold the forked fingers above 
the head and whirl against the 
sun. 


K. 6. 



The open right hand palm up 
ab re tlbc right ear is moved up¬ 
ward, outward and downward > 
and repea ted several times. 


K. 7. 



The open right hand palm to¬ 
ward the face is thrust obliquely 
upward past thr lips. 


Equivalents. 

K. 5. 

CRAZY. 

FOO LISH. 

RATTLE BRAIN. 

Often erroneously made for 
Kiowa . Kioivas are neither fools 
nor crazy. 


K. 6- 


K I O W A . 


This is their true sign and refers 
to a former practice of clipping 
the hair above the right ear to 
show off ear ornaments. The mo¬ 
tion has been mistaken for a cir¬ 
cle but it was not originally. 

K. 7- 


KNIFE. 

In old time wh en a single kni t e 
served a whole family, a person 
took piece of meat in his left hand, 
put it in iris mouth and then 
thrust the knife between his hand 
and lips and passed both knife 
ami meat to the next, hence, this 
gesture. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


L. 1 . 



Close right fist, crook the right 
clhow, awl supposing a fulcrum 
in the forearm Lower the fist, 
raising the elbow at the same 
time repeat a few times. 


L. 2. 



Make as if holding a coil of rope 
in the left harul and also in the 
right,, then swing that in the 
right around the head and pretend 
to throw it far, jerk the out¬ 
stretched hand hack as if bringing 
a beast to a stand. 

L. 3. 



Both flat hands palms up in 
front. Thrust outward and draw 
back alternately several times. 


L 1 . 


LAME. 


This movement is intended for 
that of a la me horse, but refers to 
persons as well. 


L. 2. 


A LARRIETT. 


To catch a wild brute with a rope. 


L. 3. 

LAW. 

A RULE. 

A PLAN. 

A ROAD. 

A CUSTOM. 

7 show you the road, is the term 
for, I show you how. A law is a 
road in which we must walk. 


104 















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


L. 4. 



Fi st sign for law (road), then 
after making that, more two or 
three times, bring the hands close 
together as hook • 


L- 4. 

LAW BOOK . 

THE BIBLE. 

A SACRED BOOK. 

(Remember that all shaded dia¬ 
grams take on a divine sense in 
print hence, law hook is the sacred 
law hook or the Bihle. 


L 5. 



Close right fist, hold over hack of 
the righ t shoulder, then move it 
forward by jerks. 

L. 6. 


L. 5. 


LEAD. 

DID LEAD. 


Comes from leading a horse with 
a halter over the shoulder, the 
horde’s head moving up and. down 
causes the jerks. 

L. 6. 



% 


Ail of the fingers of the right 
ha < d much flexed are held h igh 
ap and bent so as to point down, 
then I (aver the hand slowly, Carry¬ 
ing it in various side and wave- 
liice motions to near the ground. 


A LEAF. 

A FALLING LEAF. 
AUTUMN. 

A leaf falls with a waved ike 
motion. 


105 


























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


L 7. 



The spread thumb aiul index 
are drawn, upward from the ankle. 


L. 7. 


LECCINS. 
PANTS. 
3TOCKINCS. 


The spread thumb aiul index 
drawn over any part, denote the 
clothing for that part . 


L. 8. 



H d.lthr open left hand palm 
up. rather low, but level, then cross 
it with the open right, and from 
that position, carry the right 
a emend to th e right, maintaining 
the same level all through. 

L. 8 AND 9. 



Elevate the right index in front 
rrul move it in a horizontal figure 
Xi, showing the hand first one side 


cat, then the other. 


L. 8. 


LEVEL. 

PLAIN, 

PRAIRIE. 


Any level surface, as a table or 
fl >or. See bed. 


l . 9 a N D 1 O, 


LIFE. 

ALIVE. 


Moving about, well, etc. ( U 'here- 
ever lines cross, it shows a twist of 
the wrist). The shaded sign is used 
in contact .on with divine subject 
m liter. 


1 O G 














INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


L. 11. 



The index.is usually extend d, 
hand hanging at the side, and 
make one big sweep from rear to 
front, looking toward the party 
addressed. 


L. 12. 



Fork the two first fingers of the 
right hand, and with palm, to¬ 
ward face, thrust them across the 
face near the lips. 



Sign first as in L. 1 2, then from 
the end of that gesture, reave the 
open right hand back-ha ruled to 
the right. 


Equivalents. 

V. 


L. 11. 


LIE DOWN, 
LYING THERE. 


When a, stranger is staying over 
night, if he has his own blankets, 
the women will make room, 
spread some sort of bedding on the 
ground, and looking at you, make 
this gesture 

L. 12. 


LIE- 

A FALSEHOOD. 

DON'T BELIEVE IT-HIM. 


Two tongues. Th is sign is m ade 
across the face, ms if it migh t sig¬ 
nify CROSS PURPOSES, but 
more likely, so as to distinguish it 
from I see. 

L 13. 


LIE NOT . 

I LIE NOT. 


Simply make sign for lie, and 
con tin ue on into the sign of not , 
lu ing tiro ideas in one compound 
gesture, 


107 




































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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


Gestures. 


L. 14. 



Elevate the right index in front 
and shake it violently, shrinking 
back as if afraid, 


Equivalents. 

L. 14. 

LIGHTNINC. 

Som etimes used for thunder 

STORM. 


L, 15. 



Hold the open left hand palm 
up in front, then make as if hold¬ 
ing a. key in the fingers of the 
right and motion of turning the 
key in a fork. 

L- 1 6- 



Fork the first tiro fingers of the 
right hand, rt i -e and hold harks 
up level in front of the eyes, then 
move them slowly from one side of 
the visual ankle to the other hack 
am! forth a few times. 


L. 15. 

LOCK . 

KEY. 

TO LOCK. 

To unlock is to tu'ist hand to the 
right und throw the hands apart. 


L. 16. 

LOOK. 

SEE. 

LOOK A ROUND. 

See I see, wh ich is a little differ¬ 
ent. 


1 08 











































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


L. 17- 


L. 17. 



Hold the right hand back up in 
front and bring the left back up 
across it. 


LOST . 

ASTRAY. 

ASIDE. 


L. 18. 



Cross the ivrist on the breast and 
jn'css the bosom. Assume a facial 
expression agreable to the nature 
of the feeling. 


L. 19. 



Precisely the same as 18, but 
with reverence as by casting the 
eyes upward, etc. 


L. i 8. 

LOVE! . 

I LOVE. 

AFFECTION. 

(The shaded sign signifies Chris¬ 
tian love. 


L. 19. 


LOVE DIVINE. 


ChHstianity or love of divine 
things. Christian fellowship. 


109 

















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


M . 1 . 



right side ol the head and thrust 
It violently across in front of fore- 
hrad. Assume a displeased facial 
expression. 


M , 2 A N D 3 . 



Gesture precisely like M • 2. 


Equivalents. 

M . 1 . 

MAD. 

ANGRY. 

Another tray is to tivist the 
clinched fist in front of forehead. 
St C ANGER , 


M. 2 AND 3. 

MAN. 

MALE. 


The male of any creature. An 
old man is shown by the bent in¬ 
dex held into same manner. The 
left index ^Another man. 

M. 4 . 


MAN- 


But shaded used in a divine 
sense in print, as, the son of 
man or man of God might be 
used in connection with the name 
of a sacred personage. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


Equivalents. 


M , 5. 


M. 5. 



.Make motion of scratching from, 
lower li/> to chin, as if painting 
stripes in that part. 


M. 6. 



The tiro flat lunuls hacks up arc 
placed, thumbs t i tching in front 
of the body, and the right raised 
and carried over in an arc to righ t 
and the left in the same manner 
to the left simultaneously. 

M . 7. 



Place both index fingers backs 
up, side by side, held level in 
front. 


MANDAN 


(A tribal sign) 

Mandans used to ornament their 
chins with stripes of paint- 

M. 6. 

MANY. 

MUCH. 

VERY MUCH. OR MANY. 

See heap . 


M . 7 . 

MARRIED. 

TO MARRY. 


To lie side by side. See part ¬ 
ners , which are uprigh t. 







































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalent «. 


M. 8. 


M. 8. 


MATCH. 

STRIKE A LIGHT. 
A FLINT. 

Hold the left fist in front, then 
make us if striking a match 
against the left fist. Sometimes 
by striking it horizontally. 



M . 9. 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
right hand, hold them above the 
right side of the head and whirl 
them in a horizontal circle with 
the sun. 


M. lO. 


M. 9. 


MEDICINE. 

MYSTERIOUS. 


See Kiowa fool, etc. 


M. lO. 



Elevate both index fingers at 
their respective sides of face and 
draw them slowly toward each 
oilier meeting in front. 


MEET. 

WE MEET. 


The two index fingers arc two 
men, therefore, they stand in any 
plural sense, as men, people, w e . 
u s See separate. 


1 1 2 


















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


M . 11. 



Draw the loosely flexed open 
righ t hand upward, inward and 
downward, as if drawing it over 
some oval object. 

M. 12. 



Clutch the right hand to fist, 
draw it close to the breast bone or 
thrust it around the right breast 
to the breast bone- 


M- 13. 



The open hands pointed down¬ 
ward and over each other are 
thrust first to one side then to the 
other. Repeat several times 


Equivalents. 

M . 11. 


MELON. 


Some hold the left hand palm 
up to indicate the uncle.x side of 
the melon, while the right hand 
moves as directed. 

M. 12. 

MINE. 

POS SESSION, 


T h a ve it a nd ' I am going to hold 
on to it. It is quite essential to 
comprehend this sign before one 
can rightly understand, His, 
thine o/' h i s belonging to one 
ivho is absent. 

M. 13. 

MINGLE. 

MIX. 

CON FUS I ON. 

A MISTAKE. 

Things are badly mixed, all is 
confusion, etc. Mistakes in lan¬ 
guage are thus gestured. 


1 1 3 








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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


M . 14. 



The open han d is held brick to- 
irard the face and pushed up and 
down several times in front of the 
eyes, udva,nce a step or tiro during 
this gesture. 


M . 15. 



Draw the spread thumb and in-. 
dex over the foot, from toe to heel. 


M . 13. 



Make believe take hold ' of the 
light nipple with thumb and fin¬ 
gers of the right hand and draw 
the hand straight outward ■ 


Equivalents. 

M . 14. 


IA1I RACE . 


The advance shows that though 
you go toicards it, it is still obscure. 
It may be made plainer by sign of 
i see or look, while the up and 
doicn movement continues. 

M . 15. 


MOCCA S I N 


Clothing for the feet. 


M. 16 . 


MOTH E R . 


Drawing out the left breast is 
the sign of F a T H E R . The right 
breast is nearest, so is our mother. 


1 1 4 














































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


M . 17. 

X 



The right fist palm to fare is 
thrust upward to arms length 
once. 


M . 18 . 



Both fists palms tot card the pice 
and thrust up and down alter¬ 
nately. 


M . 19. 



Both fists thrust downward and 
drawn upward alternately sev¬ 
eral times. 


Equivalent s. 

M. 17. 

MOUNTA I N . 

A HILL ETC. 


IV! . 18. 

MOUNTA INS. 

A mouniain range is first this 
sign, then draw in the air an out¬ 
line of some well-known moun¬ 
tains in that range or a general 
outline of the range of peaks . 

M. 19. 

MUD. 

TRACKS. 

The gesture tries to imitate the 
difficulty of traveling in deep 
mud 


1 1 5 






























































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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


<irstn,rrs. 


Eqiti valents. 


M. 20. 


IV! . 20, 



Hold the much-flexed and 
limber-jointed hands and wrists 
above the ears and flop them by 
wrist action. 


M . 21 . 



Clinch the fists and move them 
bade and forth from front to rear 
several times, holding the forearm 
horizontally. 


MULE. 

BIG EARS. 


The idea is to imitate the move¬ 
ment of a mule’s ears. I got laugh¬ 
ed at for moving the hands for- 
irard and backward instead of the 
flopping, (which is not character¬ 
istic of a mule) 

M. 21. 


MUST 
I MUST. 

I WILL ETC. 


M. 22. 



rtght hand is opened flat and 
waved back-handed io the right • 


M . 22. 

MU ST NOT . 

I SHALL OR YILL NOT. 

.1 coin pound of must and not. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


M. 23. 



Hold the palm of the right hand 
over the mouth. 


M. 24. 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
right hand, others being closed. 
Place in front of forehead or high¬ 
er, and twist the wrist so as to show 
both sides of the hand several 
times . 

N. 1 . 



First lay the right index between 
the lips, then throw it downward, 
pointed to the right oblique. 


Equivalents. 

M . 23. 

MUTE . 

SI L E NC E . 


M. 24. 

MYSTERY. 

MY S T E R IOU S . 


The forked, fingers show two di¬ 
verging thoughts concerning God 
or things unknown. Therefore, 
mysterious. See perhaps. 


N. 1 . 

NAME. 

CALL. 

To call the name of a person or 
thing. (Throwing the word from 
the mouth). 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 

N . 2- 



Spread the fingers of the left 
hand, turning the thumb in to 
palm., then hold them to view, and 
with the right index . puli the left 
t wards the thumb and point out 
the m iddle finger. 

* . 3. 



Hold the open right hand in 
front of the right breast and draw 
it to the breast. 


N. 4. 



Hold, both flat hands faring 
each other about six inches apart, 
then draw them nearer each other. 


Equivalents. 

N. 2, 

NEIGHBOR. 

THE NEXT . 


The second, third, etc-, can be 
designated in the same manner. 


N. 3. 

NEAR. 

YOUNG. 

I do not quite understand why 
this stands for young, unless it 
signifies near the breast or a nurs¬ 
ing child. FOR THIS SIDE 
O f , as on this side of a moun- 
tai n. First sign of mountain. 
then near. 

N . 4. 

NEAR. 

CLOSE. 

N A R ROW. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


< rf st /I rfs 


N . 5. 



Crook the right index, extern! 
the left and then run the crooked 
right hock down across the left’in¬ 
dex and draw it hack towards the 
body, r> peat once or twice. 


. N - o. 



The hands hacks up are drawn 
from each side and crossed before 
the body. 


N . 7 . 



The right hand back out is 
waved to the right, being nearly 
palm up at end of the move¬ 
ment. 


Equivalents. 

N . 5. 

NEEDLE. 

SEWING. 

This seems an, awkward way to 
sac, but it is sewing with a leather 
string, as putting shoe strings in 
shoes or sewing through holes with¬ 
out a, needle. 

N. 6. 

NIGHT. 

DARKNESS. 

COVERED. 

See DAY, LOST, etc , 


- . 7. 

NO . 

NOT . 

j] general sign of dissent or ne¬ 
gation. 


1 1 9 




















INDIAN SIGN TALK . 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 



N. 8. 


NOW. 

TO-DAY . 
RIGHT NOW . 


The right index held vertically As, now! I am going, 

is struck towards the person ad¬ 
dressed. 


O. 1 . 


O. 


1 . 



Hold the left fist in front of face 
and thrust the right against it. 


OBSTRUCT -I ON , 


Run against something, as to 
run against an impassable object 
or mountain. 



Touch the shoulder where the 
star or stripes usually worn. 


1 20 














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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


O. 3. 



Touch the left shoulder with both 
index fingers. 


O. 3. 


OFFICER, 

GENERAL, 



Touch the left shoulder in two 
places. 


G. 5. 



Fork the two first fingers of the 
right hand and draw them, across 
the left arm below the shoulder. 


O. 5. 


OFFICER. 

SERGEANT. 


121 














INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


O. 6. 



Draw one stroke with the right 
index across the left arm below 
the shoulder. 


O. 7. 



The right fist is held near the 
right side of the right breast, then 
raised, carried forward and low¬ 
ered, and advanced by one or tiro 
such movement. 

O. 8. 


The right index is bent inivard 
and extended back out as man. 


Fapiivalents. 
O. 6. 

OFFICER. 

COR PO RA L . 


O. 7. 

OLD. 

AGE. 

A CANE. 

As an old man walks with a 
eane • 


O- 8. 

OLD. 


An old man is decrepted, so the 
sign for man is thus modified. 
There are other signs, but this is 
the best, to use. 



1 22 





























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures 


O. 9. 



Theright index is held vertien lly 
in front at right si dr and palm 
out, then it is carried the same 
side out to the left side of front . 
Stop there a moment and return 
to the right side of front. Repeat 
once or taler. 

O IO. 


Equivalents. 

O 9. 

ONLY. 

ALONE. 

ONE ONLY. 

SOLITARY. 

SOLITUDE. 

The shaded sign is only used in 
reference to Christ, as GOD’S 
ONLY SON. 


O. IO. 




Point both index fingers toward 
each other. 


OPPOSITE. 


Opposite points or principles. 


O. 11. 


O. 11. 



O P POS I TI ON. 
QUARRELLING. 


Both index fingers pointed to¬ 
ward each other and m oved to and 
from each other several times. 


1 23 


































































































































. 








. 

















































INDIAN SIGN TALK 


Gestures. 


O. 12. 



The flat hand hack uf> is pay'' d 
hark and forth an inch or two 
above the head. 


O. 13. 



raise the hands. 


O. 14. 



Grasp the hark hair with the 
left hand, and with the right in¬ 
dex make a spiral movement 
doom wa rd. 


Equivalents. 

O. 12. 


OSAO E . 


A tribal sign and refers to the 
roach, as they cut their hair or 
shave their heads, so as to leave it 
sticking up in this way. Other 
tribes makes such a dress of horse 
hair and fasten it by tieing. 

Q. 13. 


OTTgR. 
OTTER SKIN. 


An otter skin is cut in halves 
through back arul tail. The tiro 
halves answer for t/vo ornamental 
extensions of the two braids of the 
hair and are worn by many tribes, 
as hi owns, Comanchees « etc. 

O. j4. 

OTTER. 

OTTER SKIN. 


liefevs to twisting or winding 
the back hair with otter skin. (A 
skinJs worth, from $8 to $ 1 2). 


124 












































































































































































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


Gesture*. 

O. 15. 



Both fists clutch the air, drawn 
to breasts, pushed over the breasts 
until they meet on the breast bone. 


O. 16- 



thumb and index of the left hand 
th en put the right index into that 
opening, which is in This gesture 
is the reverse of that position. 

O. 17. 



Hold the left hand back up in 
front, then the right hand thumb 
up is carried, over the bark of the 
left, (cut has thumb on the wrong 
side of hand). 


Equivalents. 

O. 15. 


OUR. 


One fist gestured in this way is 
mine, and by law of plurality 
both fists equal our See w e 

MEET. WE PART, FOOT 
RACE. DO TO ME. DONE IT 
TO US. etc. 

O. 16. 


OUT-O F . 

OUTSIDE-OF. 

TAKEN FROM OUT-OF. 

See in, iaside of 


O. 17. 

OVER. 

TO CO OVER. 


As over the country, a ridge or 
mountains. See across 


1 25 



















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestu res. 


Equivalent*. 


O. 18. 



Thumbs and index are crooked 
around the eyes, and eyes opened 
very wide. 


0 . 18 . 


OWL. 

BIG EYES. 


P. 1. 



Strike the back of the left hand 
with the palm of the right, first 
on the th umh side, then on the 
little finger side. Repeat two or 
three tim es. 


P. 2. 


P. 1 . 

PACK-I NG . 
PACK UP . 


Getting ready to move. 


P. 2. 



The left fist is pushed from, 
while the right is drawn toward 
the body . the left fist being a foot 
or more above the right. 


PADDLE. 

A CANOE. 

TO GO I N A CANOE . 


Motion of paddling. 


1 26 


/ 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gpaturr.fi. 


P. 3. 



Brush the right cheek doivmvard 
tiro or three strokes trith the ends 
of fingers of light hand. 


Equivalents. 

P. 3, 

PAINT-INC. 

Motion of painting stripes on 
the cheek, as U ths custom of 
some tribes. 



Both hands backs uj> in front, From the shaking of the hands 

then lower them with a quivering of feeble or palsied people, 

motion. 


P. 5. 


P. 5. 



PAPER MON E Y. 


Motion of counting of b'lls by 
drawing them from the left hand. 


(Drawn towards the wrist means 

THIN, SHARP A 


1 27 









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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


P. 6. 



Extend the left index and lay 
the right across it at any part of 
it. which will show the proportion 
intended. 


P. 7 



Extend the index fingers side by 
side and hold them vertically in 
front. 


P. 8. 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
right hand arid hold them above 
the right ear, palm to front. Can 
use both hands. 


Equivalents. 

# 

P. 6. 

PART. 

A PIECE. 

HALF. 

Any fraction. 


P. 7. 

PARTNE RS . 

Two persons who stand in busi¬ 
ness relationship. See accom¬ 
pany, MARRIED, EQUAL, 
ETC. 

P. 8. 

PAWN E E , 

WO L F . 

FOX . 

CUNN I NC ETC . 


1 28 










INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


(lestures 


P . 9 . 



(lather all the fingers of orie 
hand in a l/iinch and hold them 
revtically in front higher than 
the head. 


P . lO. 



Measure off the pro] tort ion in¬ 
tended an the inside of the fore¬ 
finger with ihe thumb nail of the 
same hand , the other fingers 
being turned down . 


P. II. 



Hold the left hand palm up in 
front of face. Blow across the 
palm, at the same time making 
the sign of fire with the right, 
hand 


Equivalents. 

P. 9. 

PEAK. 


A one-handed sign for a 

TEPEE. 


P. lO. 

A PIECE. 

A LITTLE. 

A FRACTIO Ns*_ 

A PART. 


P. 11. 

PEMICAN, 

MAKING PEMICAN. 

Fire and blowing away, the 
scum arising from boiling meat. 


I 29 





























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


P 12. 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
rid/it hand and hold them pointed 
to near the heart and twist the 
wrist bark and forth several times. 

P. 13. 



Form a circle jvith the thumb of 
the left hand and lay the batl of 
the right index on the opening 
once or twice. 


P 14. 



left thumb from the urn ter side, 
extend the left index, bring the 
hands to aim, then snap the thumb 
and middle finger of the i eft hand 
so as to make a report. 


Equivalents. 

P. 12. 

PERHAPS. 

MAY BE SO . 

UNDECIDED. 

UNCERTAIN. 

.11 trays add this gesture in eases 
of uncertainty, because a mistake 
is a lie. 


P . 13. 


PIPE. 


This is the motion of crowding 
tobacco in the bowl of a pipe ■ 


P. 14. 


PISTOL. 


A very natural imitation of 
shooting with a pistol or shotgun. 

























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


P. 1 5. 



Both flat hands hacks up carried 
outward and downward toward 
another person. 


P. 16. 



Both open hands well out , 
thumbs up, and draw them to the 
breasts. 


P. 17 AND 18- 


P. 15. 

PITY. 

MERCY. 

I BLESS YOU. 

BLESSED. 

THANKS 

Pity or thanks toward another. 


P. 16. 

PITY ME . 

HAVE MERCY ON ME. 


P . 1 7 A N D 1 8 . 





Simply point the index toward 
seine object cr place. 


PO I NT 

THAT, THIS OR THERE. 


131 










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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

P. 19. 



Scratch the breast bone outward 
on both sides. 


Equivalents. 

P. 19. 

POOR . 

LEAN. 

Applies to persons or animals. 


P 20. 



Hold both fiat hands palms up, 
h igh above the sides of the head. 


P. 20. 

PRAY. 

PRAYER. 

WORSHIP. 

GOD secs my hands, that there 
is no blood oil them , I am innocent. 


P. 21. 


P. 21 . 



Flat hands palms up. the right 
crossed over the left, then can'tj 
the right to the right and the left 
to the left as far apart as conve¬ 
nient. 


PRAIRIE. 

LEVEL. 

A PLAIN. 


Any level surface. 
























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


P. 22. 



The flat hand at breast, draw it 
jtff 1 w against the breast to below 
heart and carry it from there 
straight out, as GOOD. 



Thrust the right index, over the 
feet past the toes in several direc¬ 
tions. 


P. 24. 



Motion of turning down the 
screw of a copying press, using 
the right hand. 


Equivalents. 

P. 22. 

PEACE. 

CONTE NT E D. 
SATISFACTION. ETC. 

My heart is smooth towards you 
or 1 am perfectly satisfied. 


P. 23. 

PRICKLY PEAR. 
CACTUS. 

Hurts the feet. See ache. 


P. 24. 

PRINT -INC. 

A PRINTING PRESS. 

,A copying press gives the idea 
to the Indians who see it in use at 
agencies. 


1 33 























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


P. 25 AND 26. 



and bend slightly forward. 


P. 27 . 



Cross the wrists in front. See 
arrest, etc. 


P. 28. 



front, and with the right, hade up 
directly under it. Snap the thumb 
and fingers 


P. 25 and 26. 

PRISONER. 

CAPTIVE. 

SUBMISSION. 


P . 27 - 

PRISONER. 

ARRESTED. 

TO ARREST. 

Either of these gestures will be 
recognized. 


P. 28. 

P R I VA T E TALK. 

SECRET. 

CON FIDENTIAL, 

Snapping words under cover. 
Young folks pull a blanket over 
their heads, a nd. their right to se¬ 
crecy is sacred. «A o one thinks of 
any impropriety or disturbs them . 


1 34 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


P- 29, 



Make a walking movement with 
the first tiro fingers of the hand 
on some level surface. 


P 50. 



Hold left hand cup-shaped 
against the waist, then motion of 
taking something out of the left. 
Stoop, drop seeds n ea r the feet, ad¬ 
vance a step and repeat the ges¬ 
ture. 

Q, 1 , 



Point the index fingers toward 
each other and move them to and 
from each other several times. 


Equivalents. 

P, 29. 


PROGRESS-ION, 


Step by step, etc . 


P. 30. 

plant. 

FIELD. 

FARM. 

GARDEN, 

Motion of dropping corn in hills. 


Q 1 . 

QUARREL -ING, 

OPROS I T I ON . 

pigkingat eachother 

The two index fingers are tiro 
men and they oppose each other. 


I 35 
























































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 

Q- 2- 


All of the fingers are pointed to¬ 
wards each others and moved to 
and from each others several 
times. 


Q. 3. 



Reach right hand over five left 
shoulder and make as if drawing 
an arrow from others on the hack. 


Q. 4. 

A 

* 


Hold the open left hand thumb 
up well out in front, then thrust 
the right quickly past it, touching 
the palm so as to make a report . 


Equivalents. 

Q. 2. 

QUA R R E LING . 

A BATTLE. 

A DVANGE AND 
RETREAT. 

Many people are opposed to each 
other. 


Q. 3. 


QUIVER, 


Quivers are usually made made 
of the skin of some animal. Are 
not much in use since the intro¬ 
duction of firearms. 

Q. 4. 

QUICK. 

FAST. 

RAPID- 

As an arrow flies fast, etc. 





1 3t> 














































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture* 


Equi valents. 


R. 1. 



Elevate the thumb and little 
finger of the right hand. Others 
closed. Strike them back and 
forth on the right side of the head. 


R. 2. 



Extend both index fingers backs 
up and reciprocate them several 
times. 


R . 3. 



All the fingers of the hand held 
loosely-flexed and pointed down¬ 
ward are dropped toward the 
ground with two or more stops. 


R. 1 . 


RABBIT. 



R. 2 


RACE- 

I NG . 


FOOT 

RACE. 


Tivo m< 

<‘.n, first 

one, then th c 

other gets 

a little ahead. 


R. 7. 


RAIN 

-INC. 


Water 

dripping 

from ends of 

fingers. 




137 



















































































. INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestnrrs. 


R. 4. 



Hold the flat left hand over the 
eyes, then thrust the right index 
outward from the bade of the left 
7Land. 


R. 5. 



Elevate the righ t index in front 
and shake it rapidly from right 
to left, bade and forth several 
times. 


R. 6. 



Hold the spread fingers of the 
left hand in front and draw the 
end of right index between them. 


Equivalents. 

R. 4. 

RASH. 

HEADSTRONG. 

HEADLONG. 

RISKY. 

RECKLESS. 

Going at anything in a. blind, 
manner or inconsiderately. 


R. 5. 

RATTLE. 

RATT L E SNAKE. 

V/ A R N I N G . 

DEFIANCE. 

I WILL NOT. 

From the warning of a rattle 
siLdlce, 


R. 6. 

RAVINES. 

CU L L EYS . 

ditches. 


138 


















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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


R. 7. 



Motion of nibbing a round spot 
or circle of paint on the cheek. 


R. 7. 


RED. 

WICHITA INDIAN. 



Hold, the left forearm and open 
hand palm up in front, then be¬ 
ginning at the wrist ,, touch tin 
'forearm between the wrist and 
elbow in several places 

R. 9. R. 9. 



Motion of raking off money 
from a gambling table. 


RICH. 


1 39 


































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture,.a. 


Equivalents. 


R. 10. 


R. lO. 



Stretch both arms far apart, 
then bring the open hands to¬ 
gether as a peak over the head. 



Extend the left index, fork the 
first tiro fingers of the right hand 
and stride the left index, the 
right thumb showing outside of 
the left hand. Then progress them 
in an up and down movement. 

R. 12. 



Hook the right index over the 
open left hand, (from the inside). 


RICH. 


Plenty hereabouts. 


R. 11. 


RIDE -ING. 

A PONY. 

A HORSE . 


A man on a horse. 


<N 

X 


RIDGE. 





1 40 




































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


R. 13. 

* 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 



Eight hand bade up, thumb 
touching the breast bone Then 
carry the hand straight out 


R. 13. 


RIGHT. 
GOOD . 

ALL RIGHT. 


Level with the heart. 


R. 14. 



Make sign of drink from cup¬ 
shaped hand, then move that cap 
in a sinuous movement, the hand 
descending gradually during the 
gesture. 


R. 15. 



Both open hands palms up and 
reciprocated bach and forth sev¬ 
eral times. 


R. 14. 

RIVER. 

CREEK. 

B ROOK . 

A STREAM. 

Water running sinuous 
falling • 


R. 15. 

ROAD. 

TRAIL. 

P ATH . 

A LAW. 

A GUIDE. 

A PLAN. 

The way how to do. 


and 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 

R. 16. 



—. X 


Put the right fist under the chin, 
then throw it to arms length in 
front. 


Equivalents. 

R. 16. 


ROPE. 

HALTER. 

See string. 


R- 17. 


R. 17. 



First hold the right thumb and 
index a little apart, (say half an 
inch). This is a rosebud, rune raise 
the right index upteftrd and it 
opens as a flower. 

S. 1 . 



The loosely-flexed fingers point¬ 
ed toward- the heart and carried, 
around several times in a: circle 
with the sun. 


ROS e bud. 

A ROSE. 

Indians use the bud of the wild 
rose as food in time of scarcity 


S. 1 . 

SAD -NESS. 

SOR ROW. 

TROUBLED. 

The heart is all stirred up. 


1 42 





































































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestured. 


S. 2. 



Same as S. 1 , but after circling, 
make as if laying the heart on 
the ground- 


S. 3 and 4. 



The index as man starts from 
the right side of the neck and 
thrust up to arms length with 'a 
twist of the wrist daring the up¬ 
ward movement. 


S. 5. 



Touch the end of tongue with tip 
of right index, carry the same 
hand, closed to fist, back up out¬ 
ward from the lips, letting it fly 
open at the end of movement. 


Equivalents. 

S. 2. 

SAD -NESS. 

SO R ROW. 

GRIEF. 

ANGU I SH ETC . 

My heart is broken. I am all 
broken with trouble . 


S. 3 and 4. 

SAFE. 

I GOT SAFE. 

I ESCAPED. 

I squirmed or wriggled out of 
difficulty. In print, the shaded 
sign has reference to one who is 
saved in a Christian sense . 

S. 5. 

SALT. 

SOUR. 

BITTER. 

.A com pound sign of taste and 
bad. 













































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


S. 6. 



Fork the first tiro fingers of the. 
right hand, hold them near the 
floor or ground at side of foot and 
then twist the wrist back and forth • 
several times. 


S. 7. 



Hold the left forearm in front 
and saw it with the thin elge of 
the open right hand. 


Equivalents. 

S. 6. 

SATAN. 

THE SPIRIT BAD. 

BAD MEDICINE. 

EVIL. 

SIN. 

Mystery concerning things “low 
down ” Base or lower regions, 
the kingdom of Satan, etc. 


S. 7. 


SAW . 


Sometimes incorri ctly m ade for 
Cheyenne. See that sign. 


S. 8 AND 9. 



(Gestured precisely alike) 


S . 8 A n D 9. 


A SAVED MAN , 
SA LVAT I ON . 


This is the same gesture as 
safe, with the right index 
moved from the. safe point out in 
front or to one side and shown as 
man (A compound of safe and 
man). 


144 







































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


S. 10 . 



Carry the open hand bade up, 
close to top of head, around in a 
circle with the sun. 


S. 10. 


SCALP. 

I WILL SCALP YOU. 


S . 11. 



Simply point to it with the in¬ 
dex finger. 


S. 11. 


SCALPLOCK. 


S. 12. 



Extend the right index bade up 
and point it in several directions. 


S. 12. 


SCARCE. 

WHERE. 

WHICH PLACE. 


If scarce , where can one find it ? 

See where. 


1 45 





















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. Equivalents. 


S- 13. 



and painted outward in front 
then fork the fir at two fingers of 
the. right hand, pass them backs 
ap. over and beyond the ends of 
fingers of the left hand, then 
thrust them from side to side sev¬ 
eral times. 


S. 14. 



Fork the first two finders of the 
light hand and place them before, 
the eyes, took down and move the 
forked fingers from side to side, 

S. 15. 



Fork th e first two fingers of the 
right hand and place them before 
the eyes. 


S. 13. 

SCOUT -I NG. 

ADVANCE GUARD. 

One aim goes ahead of the main 
body and looks around- (The left 
hand represents the main body). 


S. 14. 


SEARCH. 


Look on the ground for it- See 
look . 


S. 15. 

SEE! 

TO SEE. 

SIGHT. 

I SAW. 

LOOK . 

The ends of the fingers answer to 
to eyes directed, in that direction- 

See look. 


1 46 









INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


+> 


Gestures. 


Equivalent*. 


S. IS. 



Fork the first tiro finger* of the 
right ho nil and point them to 
your own eyes- 


S. 16. 


SEES ME. 
SAW ME. 


Seen by another. 


S. 17. 




The flat right hand is strung 
hack-handed from the left breast 
to arms length at the right side. 


S. 17. 


SEND. 

SENT AWAY. 


To send off, as to send a letter or 
package. 


S. 18- 



Simply grasp the ankle with 
the hand. 


S. 18. 

SHACK LE . 

TO HOBBLE. 


Indians secure their horses by 
hobbling. 


147 


































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 

S- 19- 



Hold the hands over the ryes. 


Equivalents. 

S. 19. 

SHAME. 

BASHFUL. 

SHAME ON YOU . 

For bashful leave a part of one 
eye peeping over or between the 
fingers. See B. 31. 


S. 20. 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
right hand and make a shearing 
motion with them on the side of 
head. 


S. 20. 

SHAVE HEAD. 

SHEARS. 

CUT THE HAIR. 

A tribal sign for shaved heads. 


S. 21. S . 21 . 



Both hands cup-shaped and 
placed ]>almt up near each other, 
so as to enclose a shell-like cavity. 


SHELL. 


A hoi lore sphere or oval shajte 
closed vessel, or covered basket. 































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


S. 22. 



ears nuttcard with cuds of index 
fingers. 


S. 23. 



Form a circular opening with 
thumb and index of the lefthand, 
then rub the bent thumb and in¬ 
dex while in that position. 


S. 24. 



Draw the spread thumb and in¬ 
dex from toe to heel over the foot 


Equivalents. 

S 22 

SHEEP 

C ROOK ED HORNS. 


S. 23. 

SHINE. 

GLISTEN. 

G L I MME R . 
SPARKLE. 

A SUNB EAM. 


S. 24. 

SHOES. 


This is a sign of any covering of 
the foot, as a stocking, moccasin 
or shoe Add- white man for 
shoe. 


I 49 

























































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


S. 25. 



The right index horizontal tit 
righ t side is thrust forward with 
a snakc-like movement. 


S. 25. 


SNAKE. 

SHOSHONE INDIAN. 
BANNOCK INDIAN. 


See Com maehee. 


S. 26. 



The loosely flexed hands are 
waved inward and outward from 
the part nffreted hy wrist notion. 



Forma circle with all the ends 
of fingers of the right hand and 
cari'y them over and over in a 
circle in front of the mouth . 


S. 26. 


SICK. 


Fever or inflamation in stomach 
or bowels. 


S. 27. 


A SONG 



Sound revolring. 


I 50 


/ 
















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture. 


S 28. 



/tight fist is struck straight 
downward towards the ground. 


S- 29. 



Open right hand hack up is 
drawn across the throat. 


S. 39. 



Both loosely flexed hands are 
flopped upward, simultaneously 
from the side of the neck by wrist 
and dhow movements. 


Equivalents. 

S. 28. 

SIT -DQWN . 

SIT -THERE. 

I LIVE HERE. 

HERE. 

COUNTRY. 

K I NCDOM. 

Compounds with adverbs and 
nouns. 


^ . 29. 

SIOUX 
PONCA. 


Cut throat is the name given to 
all blanches of the Sioux or 
Dakota Indians. 


L. 30. 

SKIN. 

TO SKIN A BEAST. 

A BUFFALO. 

A HIDE. 

Motion of drawing the skin over 
the head of animals. 












• * 












. 








X 







* 



INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


(restllXCS. 


S. 31 . 

* 



The extended index finger* 
hark* down-, ends bent upward 
anti both thrust / or ward even with 
each other. 


S. 32. 



Close eyes and incline head to¬ 
wards the palm of hand. 


Equivalents. 

S. 31 . 


SLED 

SLEIGH - I NG . 
A DRAG. 


S. 32. 


SLEEP. 

I WANT TO SLEEP. 


A very natural sign. 


S. 33. 



Same as S 32, but lie both, in¬ 
dex fingers together and incline 
the head tot raids them. 


S. 33. 

SLEEP WITH. 

I WANT TO SLEEP WITH. 

The two index fingers represent 
two persons, and sleeping 
(side by side). 


1 52 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


frCstu CCS 


Equivalent&. 


S. 34. 



S. 34. 


SLOW. 


Both palms together, thumbs 
sticking up, move them slowly 
for I card by short stops. 


S. 35- 



Shove the right fist over the left, 
both being close to the breasts. 


S. 35. 


SMALL. 

FEW. 


S. 36. 



Fork th e first two fingers of th e 
right hand, stride the nose with 
them, pointed either up or down. 


S. 36. 

SMELL. 

SCENT. 

ODOR. 

Add good for pleasing scent,and 
bad for offensive odors. 


I 53 






































































































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures 


S. 37. 



The loose] y-fic.vcd fingers of the 
right hand pointed downward ' 
and moved in a horizontal circle 
with the st m. 


S. 38. 



Motion of washing hands or 
clothes. (Twist the wrist). 


S. 39. 



Rub the ends of fingers and ball 
of thumb together on a handker¬ 
chief, lappell or cloth. 


Equivalents. 
S. 37. 


s now . 


Snow is the same sign as rain, 
but is whirled around as it falls. 


S. 38. 

SOAP. 

WASH THE HANDS . 


S. 39. 

SOFT. 

SATIN. 

SILK. 

SMOOTH, 

V E LQE T . 

. Iny fine goods. 
























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


S. 40 



Hold the open left hand in, front 
and strike the lower side of the 
fist into it foreihly. 


Equivalents. 

S 40. 

STRONG, 

POW E R -F U L . 

FORCE. 

See hard, metal, rock, etc. 


S. 41 . 


S. 41 . 



Place hath fists had s up infron t, 
thumbs touching and draw them 
slowly apart, being careful to keep 
them in a straight line. 


S. 42. 



Elevate the rtght index back out 
as man, then lower it a little. 


SOLDIER -s 


Knuckles all in a line. 


S. 42. 

SON . 

A YOUNG MAN . 
A SHORT MAN. 


This shaded sign is used in print 
in such sentences as the son of 
god. In other cases add born. 


I 55 



































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures 


Equivalents. 


S . 43. 



First revolve the hand near the 
heart, then make as if toying the 
heart on the ground 


S. 43. 


SO R ROW. 

SAD -NESS. 

C R I E F . 

MOURNING. 

The same as sad, 


S. 44- 



First irith light index draw a 
rude outline of a map in the palm 
of the left ha ml, then put the end 
of index on the part of the imag¬ 
inary map where the source is lo¬ 
cated. 


S. 45. 



on the waist, then m ake as if tak¬ 
ing grain out of that cup and 
scattering it over the ground . 


S. 44. 

SOURCE. 

A SPRING. 

HEAD OF A STREAM. 


S. 45. 

% 

SOW . 

SCATTER.. 

FA RMI NG . 

Motion of sowing grain broad¬ 
cast. 


1 56 














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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. Equi valenti. 


S. 46. 



Lay the hacks of the hands on 
each other, fingers over fingers, 
then ruh them hack and forth sev¬ 
eral times. 



Hold one hand palm up level , 
fingers hent upward, then swell 
the cheeks, h/ow or puff tot cards 
the hent fingers, while they wiggle 
as in fire- 


S. 48. 



firing the left efhoiv prominent¬ 
ly in front and shake it apt card 
gently with the hack of the right 
hand. 


S. 46. 

SPOTTED- 
MOTT LED. 
BRINDLE. 
ROAN . 

COLOR. 

Any off color - 


S. 47. 


STEAMBOAT, 


Imitation of the puffing of a 
hi ah pressure engine. 


S . 48. 

ST I NGY. 

MEAN ETC . 


1 57 

































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

S. 49. 



Hold the left index in fron t. 
thru beginning at the knuckle, 
push the end of the right index 
along on the left and a little past 
th e end. 


S. 50. 



Make as if holding a string be¬ 
tween the thumb and forefinger of 
the left hand, then with thumb 
and finger of the light, take hold 
of the imaginary string and 
stretch it in any direction 

S. 51 . 



Hold the fist hack towards the 
face, then extend the right index 
ami draw it away in a spiral 
movement against the sun 


Equivalents. 

S. 49. 

STRAIGHT. 

THE STRAIGHT ROAD. 
THR RIGHT WAY. 

AN UPRIGHT COURSE. 
HON E STY. 


S. 50. 

ST R I NC . 

A CORD. 

A SMAL L LINE. 


S. 51 . 

STRINC. 

A SMALL ROPE. 

Motion of unwinding a string. 


1 58 





































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


S. 52. 



Fork the first two fingers of 
either hand and draw them up¬ 
ward on the side of the nose • 





Form an arc of a circle with the 
ends of the fingers of the right 
hand, point them towards the 
forehead and roek the wrist. 


S. 54. 



Spread the thumb and inde.v 
wide apart and hold them point) d 
upward over head 


Equivalents. 
S. 52, 

STRIPED NOSE. 


Stripes on anything are made 
by drawing the ends of the forked 
fingers over it. 


S. 53. 

STUDY. 

DELIBERATE. 

CONSIDER. 


S. 54. 

SUN . 

STAR. 

Star is a little sun. 
moon is night sun. 


1 59 










INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


S. 55. 


3. 55. 



Hold the spread thumb and in¬ 
dex down towards the left, raise 
it to zenith, then down to right. 


SUNRISE. 

SUNSET. 

NOON . 

TWELVE HOURS. 

Any time of day can be desig¬ 
nated within an hour by careful 
gesturing. 



Raise the open hands hidh 
above the head and bow to the in¬ 
evitable. 


S. 56. 

SUBMIT -SION. 
HELD UP 
WAS ROBBED. 



First clasp tiie hands in a pecu¬ 
liarly and gentle manner, then 
clap the open right hand over the 
mouth, open eyes and look sur¬ 
prised. 


S. 57 . 


SURPRISED. 


Indians often do this on meet¬ 
ing after some absence or in some 
unexpected moment. See wonder, 
etc. 


1 60 








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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equi valent a. 


S. 58. 



First extend hath open hands 
thumbs up. level in front, then 
shove the right around, faring 
the body, at the same time drain¬ 
ing the I eft side back towards the 
body. 

S. 59. 



Motion of shoving the whole 
hand down by the front of the 
throat. 


S. 60. 



S. 58. 

A SQUARE. 

A SECTION. 

A BOX . 


S. 59. 

SWA L LOW , 


Take it down, referring to med 
icine. 


^ . 60. 


SWIM. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

Equivalents. 

S. 61 . 

S. 61 . 

SWO R D . 

Motion of drawing a sabre. 



T. I. 

T. 1 . 

ft 

TAIL. 

l 1 


Hold the right index pointed 

At wnward at the rear of hip. 


T. 2. 

T. 2. 


TALK. 

TELL. 

SAY. 

SAID. 

Make as if snapping some small 
thing with thumb and middle 
finger from tl e mouth. 

Snapping words from the mon th. 


I 62 

















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


(lest a res. 


T. 3. 



strike one up while the other is 
bring struck down several times 
or in and out altei nately. 


T. 4. 



Make as if holding a coil of 
line or skein of yarn in the left 
hand and untangling it by pull- 
ing imaginary yarns in various 
directions. 


T, 5. 



Touch, the chin with ends of all 
the fingers in various places. 


Equivalents. 

T . 3. 

T A L K I N C . 

HANDS TA LK I NC . 

SIGN TALKING, 

These index ftng< rs art two men, 
but 1 do not know why these move¬ 
ments denote talking. 


T. 4. 

TANGLED. 

A SNARL. 


T. 5. 

TATTOO 


Pricking color into the skin, a 
practice being nearly done away 
with 


I 63 











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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


T. 6. 



Hold the open left hand tlunnh 
np in fron t and dm re the spread 
thumb and index from ends of 
fin,gee* to wrist, having the thumb 
inside of the left I Mind during the 
strokes 

T . 7 . 



Close the right fist, bring it to 
right breast, this is possession. 
Now thrust the thing possessed 
towards heaven. 


T. 8. 



liaise and carry over and dorm 
the right index in several ares 
and in many dir retinas. 


Equivalents. 

T. 6. 

THIN. 

SHARP. 


For thick see bacon. 


T. 7. 


THINE. 


His referring to god. See his, 
etc. 


T. 8. 

THING -S . 

ARTICLES. 

SOMETH INC. 

Indians say ‘‘ Some of things," 
this thing, that thing, these 
things, those things, etc 


I 64 















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


T. 9. 



The often right hand thumb up 
earned obliquely skyward. 


T. 9. 


THY. 

REFERRING TO GOD. 


T. lO. 



Place ends of thumbs and fin¬ 
ders together in front of fare, in¬ 
clined by leaving the wrists apart, 
making a form of a steep gable. 



The open right hand is placed 
palm up out in front of mouth , 
then draw toward the lips with 
a quick jerk. 


T. lO- 


TEPEE. 

WIGWAM. 

AN I ND I AN LODGE . 


T. 11. 


TELL ME. 

TA LK TO ME . 


Bring the word to me. 


1 65 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


T. 1 2, 



Rest the bull of the ha nd on nay 
level surface and imita te the click¬ 
ing of the telegraph machine. 



Forma circle with thumb and 
index and talk into that opening. 


T. 14. 



Extend the right index and draw 
it from left to right six inches 
oat from the forehead • 


Equivalents. 

T. 12. 

TELEGRAPH. 

TELEGRAM. 


Also refers to the telegraph as a 
nut chine. 


T. 13. 

TELEPHONE , 
TRUMPET. 

A HORN. 


T. 14. 

TEXAN. 

TEXAS. 


A broad-rim med hat. The same 
gesture as for white man, but 
made well out ill front. 


1 66 










INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gesture*. 


T. 15. 

* 



Elevate the right index, other 
fingers closed, palm out in front 
of forehead, and thrust up and 
down several times • 


T. 15. 



Close thumb and index fingers 
of hi tli hands, place them end to 
end and dra/v them apart a short 
distance. 

T. 17. 




Close thumb and index fingers 
of both hands, place them end to 
end and draw them wide apart 


Equivalents. 

T 15. 


TIME. 


Time in the abstract. There are 
so many plain signs for time that 
this, to me, seems superfluous. / 
give it as I learnt it. See now. 

T. 16. 

A SHORT TIME. 

MOM E NTS. 

HOURS. 

DAYS. 


T. 1 7 . 


A LONG TIME. 


Movement is somewhat like 
stretching a rubber string. Can 
add behind or ahead for 
time past or future- 


1 67 

















































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X 












































t 


INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


T. 18. 



Grasp the arm or leg and shrink 
tot card the part. 


Equivalents. 

T. 18, 

TIRED. 

WEA RY. 

PHYSICAL WEARINESS. . 


T. 19 



Voin t both i n dejr fi ngers to hr east 
and draw them diagonally down¬ 
ward apart from■ their respective 
sides. 


T. 19. 


TIRED. 

MENTAL WEARINESS, 


The heart is tired. I am tired, 
of that matter. Monotony. 


T 20. 


T. 20. 



Hold the open left hand palm 
up in front, then lay the lower side 
of the right fist into it and move 
elbow in and out producing a sort 
of grinding in the palm of the left 
hand. 


TOBACCO. 


Wild Indians smoke, but do not 
chew, only civilized tribes are suf¬ 
ficiently demoralized to indulge 
in that habit. 


1 68 



















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


T. 21 and 22. 



Touch the tooth or teeth and show 
it or them. 


T. 23 AND 24. 



Widespread thumb and index 
of both hands, other fingers closed. 
Bring the hands together at wrists, 
but tipped well away from each 
other, then bring the ends of both 
index fi.ngers down on to the ends 
of their respective thumbs rather 
emphatically. 

T. 25. 



Extend both index fingers and 
cross the wrists, hands palms up. 


T. 21 and 22. 

THE TEETH. 

A TOOTH. 


See eye. The like signs used in 
sue/e sentences as “Jn eye for an 
eye and a tooth for a tooth. 

T 23 and 24. 


TRAP. 

TO TRAP. 


24 is the same gesture made 
with one hand only. 


T. 25. 


TRADE 
EXCHANGE, 

SWAP. 

BUY 

SELL. 

BARTER. 

To lay down - things in one place 
and other things in another, then 
make a X I w 11 give these things 
(on this side) for those things (on 
the oppositc side of the cross). 


1 69 














INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


T . 26 a n d 27 . 



Thrust the right index straight 
outward from the lips. 


T. 28. 



The right, index pointed nearly 
straight upward is pushed zigzag 
right and left, advancing at tire 
same time. 


T. 29. 



" -y. 


The right hand hack up is sort 
of humped at the knuckles and 
moved from side to side hy wrist 
action • 


Equivalents. 

T. 26 and 27, 

T RUTH -FU L . 

TRULY. 

CANDIDLY. 

SERIOUSLY ETC. 

One tongue. Straight talk, etc. 


T. 28. 

TURKEY. 

GAME. 

This gesture is very like that for 
a deer, hut a turkey moves his 
head from, side to side as it runs 


T 29. 

TURTLE. 

TORTOISE. 


1 70 









INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Ges/ures. 


T. 30. 



With thumb and index m ake as 
if jerlciug the beard out by the 
roots. 


Equivalents. 

S. 34. 

TWEEZERS. 

P L Y E R S . 

NIPPERS. 

P I NCHE RS ETC 

Some Indians are constantly 
pulling out any beard that starts, 
except small tufts at the corners 
of the mouth 


U- 1 . 



Fork the first two fingers of the 
right hand, point them toward the 
heart and rock. Twist the wrist 
several times 


U . 1 . 


UNCE RTAIN 

U i-» DECIDED. 

PERHAPS. 

MV Y BE SO . 

Always add this sign when any 
'matter is subject to doubt or to mis¬ 
carry. See i f. (The heart is 
not sure). 


U. 2. 

„ -* 

0 

First lay the right hand over the 
left, then raise and carry the right 
toward the right and, turn it 
palm up. 



U . 2. 


U N GOV E R . 

OPEN. 

LIGHT. 

D A Y . 


171 




















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 



Hold the open left hand hack up 
in front, then thrust the open right 
hack up entirely under, letting it 
show beyond the left . 


U 4. 



Hold the open lejt h and hack up 
in front, then hold the right in¬ 
dex vertically under it. 


U. 5. 



Hold the open left hand in front, 
then having the right hand index 
vertically under the left, move it 
to right and left. 


Equivalents. 

U. 3. 

UNDE R . 

UNDE RNEATH . 

TO GO UNDER. 

TO GO IN. 

TO ENTER. 


U. 4. 

UNDER COVER. 
PROTECTION. 
SHE LTE R -ED. 


U. 5. 

UNREADY. 


I give this as received, Never 
had occasion to use it. Indians 
would say pretty soon or 

WAIT. 


I 72 











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vr 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Ge slur os. 


Equivalents. 


V. 1 . 


V . 1 . 



Hold the hand ho fore the eyes 
and look into it, assume an ay- 
pc a ranee of extrem e satisfaction, 
t/s hy a smile, etc • 


V. 2. 


VAIN. 
HANDSOME. 
MI RROR. 


V . 2. 



Extend the left index > hold it 
bent upward near the ground as 
sprout, then draw a spiral line 
near the ground with the Tight. 


V. 3 



Hold the open and bent right 
hand before the mouth, male as 
if ready to gag a:id thrust the 
hand from the mouth downward 


VINE. 


Tf it extends upward, sign for 
tree and continue the spiral 
line around the left hand which 
is gestured as tree. See appen¬ 
dix under TREES. 

V. 3. 

VOMIT. 

AN EMETIC. 


1 73 











INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 

W. 1 . 



The spread thumb and index 
hack up and progressed forward 
in a vertical circular manner. 


W. 2- 



The spread thumb and index 
back down progressed forward in 
a vertical circular manner. 



The open right hand is struck 
for I card and downward rather 
emphati rally. 


Equivalents. 

W. 1 . 

WAGON 

WHEELS. 


W. 2. 

WAGON. 
WHEELS. 


To intimate a wagon approach -* 
ing. The same gesture drawn 
from well out in front. 


W. 3. 

WAIT. 

HALT. 

STOP. 


1 74 








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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


W. 4. 



Both open hands backs up are 
thrust forward while the other is 
drawn backward in a sort of 
pawing manner. 


W. 4. 


WALK. 

TO WALK. 
W A L K I N C . 


W. 5. 



The loosely-flexed hands are 
held fingers pointed down and 
dropped suddenly downward to¬ 
ward the shoulders. 



Hook the right index and draw 
it downward past the nose to the 
breast . 


W. 5. 


WARM. 
HEAT. 
HOT . 


W. 6 . 


WANT. 

DESIRE 


1 75 





























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> 


-V 











« 


V 





























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


W- 7. 



Stoop and thrust both fists down, 
drawing them bark, and repeat 
the movement tivo or three times. 


W. 7 . 


WASH. 

WASH BOARD. 
WASH I NG . 


W. 8. 



Hold the open right hand nearly 
cup shaped, bring it lo the mouth 
and make as if drinking out 
of it. 


W, 9. 



Hold the open left hand well out 
in front and thrust the open right 
endwise against it. 


W. 8. 

WATER. 

DRINK. 


W. 9. 

WENT THERE. 

ARRIVED THERE. 

WENT THERE NOT . 

WENT NEAR. 

From the end of the last move 
swing ihe open right hand back- 
hundcd to the light. 

For went near, draw the right 
hand, back from the left and then 
sign NOT 


1 7 o 









INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


W. 10 . 



First sign of mountain, then 
thrust the end of right index 
against it• 


Equivalents. 

W 10. 

WENT TO A MOUNTAIN. 
WENT TO THE MOUNTAIN. 


For mountain, raise both fists 
alternately, then thrust as before. 


W. 11. 



eral directions and assume an 
air of inquiry by looking intently 
at the party- 


W. 12. 



Thrust the tight index towards 
the party, this means you. Then 
draw the index back to the right 
shoulder and assume an inquir¬ 
ing look. 


W. 11. 

WHERE. 

AT WHICH PLACE? 


Which of the places iddicated ? 


W. 12. 


WHERE ARE YOU FROM? 


The thrust means you, tne 
drawing backs means from and 
the inquiring look means 

where. 












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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


W. 13. 



Extend the left index in front, 
then extend the rigid index and 
push it back and forth over the 
left. 


W. 14. 



Strike either index around to 
the rear as a switch. 


W- 1 5. 



The open right hand is back up, 
fingei s beat partly down, the hand 
bring well out, then make a vio¬ 
lent whirling of the hand in a 
horizontal plane. 


Equivalents. 

W. 13. 

WHETSTONE. 


To sharpen any tool by rubbing 
or grinding on a stone. 


W. 14. 

WHIP. 

TO WHIP. 

A QUIRK. 

The gesture comes from the cus¬ 
tom of switching the flanks of a 
horse while riding. 


W. 15. 

WH I R LWI N D . 
CYCLONE 
HURRICANE. 
TORNADO. 

All irresistible gales • 


1 78 














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INDIAN SIGN TALK, 


Gestures. 


W. 1 6 



Extend the right index verti¬ 
cally and dance it up and, down, 
keeping time to a suppressed 
whistle. 


W. 17. 
Y 



First sign for tail, then ex¬ 
tend the left index in front. Then 
with the end of right index at the 
middle joint of the left, strike it 
towards and past the end of the 
left . 

W. 18. 



Draw the index or the whole 
hand hack up across the forehead. 
See texan. 


Equivalents. 

W. 16. 


WHISTLE. 


W. 17. 

WHITE. 


The tip of a deer’s tail is white. 


W. 18. 

WHITES. 
WHITE MAN. 


Whites wear hats and the in¬ 
dex indicates the hat rim. A 
colored man is A white.man 
BLACK. 


1 79 




































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


W. 19. 


W 19. 


X* 


Both open hands placed palm 
to palm in front are drawn wide 
apart 



WIDE. 

WIDTH. 


W. 20. 



forth several times at each side 
about as high as the breasts, the 
whole person assuming a deter¬ 
mined aspect. 


W. 2 1. 



wrist action in imitation of the 
wings of the bird you refer to. 


W. 20. 


WILL. 

MUST. 

CAN. 

SHALL. 

I WILL ETC. 
MAK E EFFORT. 
TRY ETC. 


W. 21 . 


W I N C S . 
FLY. 

A BIRD. 


Flop the hands, lively or slowly, 
for swift or slow birds. Can dis¬ 
tinguish domestic fowls by PECK¬ 
ING and by colors, etc. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


W- 22. 



Fork the first tiro fingers of the 
right hood, hold them, over the 
right ear, then move them for¬ 
ward one stroke only. 

W. 23. 



Hold thr often left hand hark 
ii/> in front, then extend th e right 
index and hold it under the left 
hand all pointed in one direction. 


W. 24. 



Hold the open left hand back up 
in front, then place the first fin¬ 
ger of the right hand under it, 
fingers all pointed ' one way. and 
move both together in various 
directions. 


Equivalents. 

W. 22. 

WISE. 

WI S DOM. 

CUNNING ETC , 

The sign of a fox or wolf mov¬ 
ing forward, these being consid¬ 
ered very discreet. 


W . 23. 

WITH, 

TO BE WITH, 


Used passively or with no move¬ 
ments. 


W. 24. 

WITH. 

I LIVE WITH. 

ONE WITH OTHERS. 

One moving about with others. 

See we with. 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


frCSl It/'f'M. 


W . 2o. 



Hold the open Ip ft hand back up 
in front, then bring the open left 
thumb up under it, fingers all 
pointed one way, and all moved 
together in various directions. 


W. 26 



Bend the fingers palm to head 
and draw them downward ratleer 
quirk. 


W. 27. 



Take hold of the hair and make 
as if stretching it out to consid¬ 
erable length. 


Equivalents. 

W. 25. 

WE WITH. 

WE LIVE WITH. 


Several moving about with Sev¬ 
ern l others, as one family living 
with a different tribe or band. 


W. 26. 


WOMAN. 


This is one way of indicating 

LONG hair. See W. 27. 


W . 27 . 

WOMAN. 

LONG HAIR. 


This is also another way of in- 
di eating LONG hair. Women 
usually wear their hair long. 


1 82 












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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


W. 28. 



Both hands thumbs up, palms 
near each other, are held out in 
front and mooed in an upward, 
outward manner several times. 


W 29. 



Hold the open left hand r-alm to¬ 
wards the face, then make motion 
of writing in that palm. 


W. 30. 



Fork the first two fingers of one 
or both hands, hold above the ear 


Equivalents. 

W. 28. 

WO R K -INC. 

MAKE -INC. 

PLOW -INC. 

This is taken from holding the 
plow, also hands must move or 
work to m ake things. 


W. 29. 

WRITE -INC. 

H I STORY . 

TREATY, 

.dny written agreements, note or 
letter. 


W. 30. 

WO L F . 

A FOX . 


Sharp ears. 


1 83 















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


W. 31 . 



Motion of rubbing a round spot 
of paint on the cheek 


Y. 1 . 



Elevate the right index and 
thumb at right side of head, then 
strike it forward and down. Close 
them at end, of downivard stroke. 


Y. 2- 



IIaid, both fist* in front, shiver, 
shaking the fists up and down. 


Equivalents. 

W. 31 . 

WICHITA. 

RED. 


Tribal sign for Wichita In 
dians. 


Y. 1 . 

YES 

ASSENT. 

EVEN SO ! 

I AGREE WITH YOU. 

This is a sign of a man mak¬ 
ing a bow. Indians use this ges¬ 
ture a great deal. In the big 
yes or I certainly will, the ges¬ 
ture is made while standing, and 
with a very large sweep. 

Y 2. 

A YEAR. 

ONE COLD. 

A WINTER. 

AGE ETC . 


1 84 















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


Y. 3. 



Elevate both index fingers and 
dance them up and. down on their 
respective sides of the head. 


Y. 4. 



Make as if taking hold of both 
nipples and drawing the right to 
right and the left to left. 


Y. 5. 


Y. 3 

YOUNG FOLKS. 

ENJOYMENT. 

DANCING. 

A BALL. 

Remember that these index fin ¬ 
gers represent people in some sense 
all the way through the sign lan¬ 
guage. 

Y. 4. 


A YOUNG WOMAN . 


A nursing woman is shoivn by 
placing both fists on tlnebreast and 
project bust to front, a pregnant 
woman, by sign of GROS 
VENTRE. 

Y. 5. 



Paint the tight towards th' 
party. • 


YOU . 

YOURSELF. 


Sometimes, but not properly, as 
yours. 1 tried to avoid this by 
pointing the whole hand, but In¬ 
dians would not accept the 
change . Sec thine, his, etc. 


1 85 


















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


A’umbers. 

1 . 


Counting. 



Counting from 1 to 1 O begin by 
raising the little finger (I usually 
begin with the left hand) for 1, 
then add the next fing< r for 2, 
then the middle for 3, then the 
forefinger for 4, then add the 
thumb, making the first 5. 

Numbers. 

2. 3. 



ONE. 


See account. 


Counting. 


TWO, THREE, 



1 86 












INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


Numbers, 

6 



Hold the open left hand verti¬ 
cally hack to face, then add the, 
thumb of the right touching the 
left thumb, the other fingers of 
the right hand being dosed . Now 
add the forefinger of the right to 
the thumb and on up to 9, then 
both spread hands held vertically 
for 1O. 

Numbers. 

7. 




Counting. 


SIX. 


Counting. 


SEVEN. 


EIGHT. 


1 87 













INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


Numbers. 

9. 



Counting, 


NINE. 


10. 



Numbers. 

10 . 



raise and clinch the ting rs shut; 
do this for every 1 O up to 1 OO 
or more. 


TEN . 

See other ways for 1 O. 


Counting . 


TEN . 


This is most used. 


1 88 










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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Numbers. 

lO. 



Both hands backs up; raise, 
push out and clinch to fist once 
for every 1 O. 

Numbers. 

lO 

Elevate the right index- to righ k 
side of the head arul strike it for¬ 
ward and down in a fourth of a 
circle. 

Numbers. 

20 . 



Equivalents. 

Counting. 


TEN . 


See anotli er 1 O. 


Counting. 


TEN 


This way is best in large num¬ 
bers. 

For 20, use two fingers, for 30, 
40, 50. 60, 70, 80, 90 and 
1 OO, add a finger for every 1 O . 

Counting 


TWENTY. 


/ 

I 


1 89 











































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


Numbers. 

30. 



Counting. 


THIRTY. 


40. 



50. 



(A Wichita showed me several 
other ways to count up to 10 , 
but they are more curious than 
practical; ' therefore, I will not 
make diagrams, and without 
them, they could not be clearly 
explained). 


FORTY. 


Counting, 


FIFTY. 


See 60. 


1 90 








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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Equivalents. 


Numbers. 

60. 



Hold the open left hand verti¬ 
cally in front, add the thumb of 
the right, (the other fingers being 
closed as in G ). Now strike both 
over to the left in a large quarter 
circular movement . Add as many 
fingers as there are 1 Os up to 1 OO. 

Numbers . 

70. 


Counting . 


SIXTY. 


Counting . 



19 ! 













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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


Gestures. 


Numbers. 

90. 



100. 



etc- 



Hold the spread' hand back up 
in front, then train at the 
knuckles and draw the end of the 
right index along the harks of the 
spread fingers of the left hand, 
each stroke counting 1. 1 O. 1 OO 
or 1OOO. whatever may have 
been understood- 


Equivalents. 
Counting- 


NINETY . 


ONE HUNDRED. 


See other ivays of counting by 

1 Os and 1 OOs. 


Counting by 1 Os, 1 OOs, 1 OOOs, 
etc- 



Having counted off up to 50 or 
500, etc., on the left hand, count 
off the other 1 Os, 1 OOs or 1 OOOs, 
on the right - 

Other methods prevail as by 
counting sticks, seeds, pebbles, etc . 


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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 



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mV ^ *•/♦'- 


■mV ' \\ l vv‘v* 

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DO i > - < *-X 


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INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. B. 



1 94 



































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. B. 



195 

























































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. D. 



1 96 




















































































INDIAN SIGN TALK 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. F. 



































































♦ 








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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. H. 



I 98 
























































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 
MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. L. 



1 99 


























































































































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# 
























♦ 






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- 





INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. O. 



200 





































































INDIAN SIGN TALK 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. R. 





Q 2-2 Q 3-2 Q4-2R1-2R2-2 R3-2 


R 4- 2 




S3-5 S4-2 S 5-2 S 6-6 S 7-2 S 8-6 S 9-2 S 10-2 S 1 1-2 


7 V'V 




iPH 


14-2 

S 1 5 I 


' 7 . 







S 17-4 



S 18-2 S 19-2 S 20-2 S 21-2 S 22-2 S 23-2 S 24-2 




. 

— ^ 

^ Ifv.. * f 




j 

V w 



T 25-2 S 26-2 S 27-2 S 28-2 5 S 29 ’2 S30- 2S31-2 



S 32-2 S 33-2 S 34-2 S 35-6 S 36-2 S 37-2 S 38-2 


201 















































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES OF SMALL SIGN-TYPE. R. 



S 39-2 S 40. 6 S 41-2 S 42- i o S4-3- 23 44-2 



MEASURES IN T. 




sJs — ' H I - ^ ^ I i ' \ I 

T 2 1 -2 T 22-2 T 23-2T24-2 T25-2 26 - 4 T 27-2 T 28 - 2 T3Q-2 


202 




















































































































. 
























































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


MEASURES IN UandV. 


V 1 - 2 V 2 




W 5-2 W 6 D W 7-2 W 8-2 W 9-4 W 10-2 W 1 1-2 



MEASURES IN Y. 



203 































































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V 






















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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


MEASURES IN NUMBERS. 







f f ) 

— 


0~j /eft, £ w, ^ r~> _ *r »'•» 

/9r, /fc-W, Jt-*., //r», .r**. 


lOO lOs lOOs lOOOs 



END OF MEASURES IN THE 
Font of SMALL diacrans. 









































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


APPENDIX. 


A few words may be useful in understanding the line of movement: 

, 1. All lines proceeding outw ird from the body (except fr mi profiles, )go 
upward on the paper. See good, I know, etc. 

2. Lines that cross each other Aeon' a, twist of the wrist. See quandary, 
ACCOST, etc. 

3. If hands change position, or are turned' over, both positions are 
shown, the first at the commencement, and thelnst at the end of the movement. 
See day, night, not, bitter, ys, etc 'flu X shows the end of movement. AX 
in alineshot vs a s' op in the movement which may continue in the same 
direction, or change the direction. 

See must not, lead, etc Curves are indicated plain enough in the 
din grams. 

Several gestures have been purposely omitted and some overlooked. A few 
of those overlooked are here inserted, addle some which are not yet electro- 
typed will be sufficien t!;/ pla i u by description 

There are near!y 700 different gestures, while only about 560 odd have 
been considered useful enough. to pay expenses. Of course, it is not to be ex¬ 
pected of me to give picture illustrations of Hie many vulgar gestures. 

These can be learned without trouble from some young Bucks whose tastes 
run in that d recti on. 

ATTEMPT, TRY. 1 MUST. I WILL, I AM DETERMINED BEGIN • 

Brace y mrself, clinch the fists, forearms horizontal and fists 
to front Then a ssume a determined facial expression and move 
the fists to and from past the sides with considerable vim. 

Assume a determined look. The more energy that can be put 
into this gesture, the more forcible will be the idea • See i must 
and i will 

RACON FAT THICK SIDE-MEAT. 

H(dd the left hand thumb up in front, then draw the right 
hand astride the upper edge of the left hand, having the 
right thumb inside of the left hand • 





WINGS FLY 

Motion of flopping the hands as unrigs, by wrist action. 


BUT. Point to right oblique; hold it thus a second, then jerk it back . 


(As a conjunction). 






























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


CANDY. Hold the left index vertically, then carry the end of the right 
%. index attaints it at the knuckle joint and from there around, the left 

index in a progressive spiral movement to past the end of it. 




Add signs TAST and good 


COU PU L AT ION . 



COUNT ON* 7 BY ONE, TWO BY TWO, 



(See count coujt). 


PRETTY. See HANDSOME. 




PREGNANT. The same gesture 

US for GROS VENTRE. 



PUSH. The same gesture as at¬ 
tempt, TRY, MUST, CAN, 
will etc.,they are all related 
to DETERMINATION, but ill 
print, one form of figure may 
stand, for attempt, one for 
BEGIN one for must etc., 

I do not propose to settle such 
points without consulation with 
ihe authourities, (sign talking 
Indians). 


EARLY. SUNRISE. MORNING. Sign of sun well down to the 1eft side of the 
person, (the wide spread thumb and index represt nts the sun), 
some use the circular opening of thumb and index for sun. 



HOTEL. EATING HOUSE. RESTAURANT. Firts sign of cat by making 
believe putting something into the mouth, then interlock 
the ends of fingers of both hands as house . 



SADDLE (No cut). Elbows are closed to their respective sides of body, 
hands closed to fists, then keep the elbows in place while moving the wrists as 
far apart as convenient. 


STAR TO STAR The widespread thumb and nd<x of left hand as SUN 
is held up in front, then the right is held in the same manner up 
4 to the right Then the left index is moral from its first position until 
its end touches the SUN, being shown by the spread thumb and in¬ 
dex of the right ha ml. A star is a little sun A star also 
TWI NKLES. (Sign of fire held towards the sky). 

A QUANDARY. Hold the right hand in front of the breast and rock it two 
or three times by wrist action. 

I do not know what J will, shall, or ought to do. 



205 












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EXAMPLE IN THE BLACK TYPE. 

The first practiclc font . (Now abandoned. ) 



Kiowa said may-be-so me the-same-as wolf lame. He said. 



wolf hungry walking road hunting food, see away bach whiteman coming. 


By chance I happen to have a few pieces of the wood type but not enough to 
print any connected piece, yet I trust there is enough of it to confirm the good 
judgemet of the friends who have given so much toward the electrotype font H. 



INDIAN • SIGN TALK. 



^Winkletidmklelittle startup abovethe earth so far. 
Whot makes you twinkle? tell me why 

^ 2 Sii Kdh\, 

you sit above the earth so hi^Kv 

Ac^'"T\ t 



Gcod alone ku.oivs,he vo i 11 not SWy, 
May be so I walk one*, day 
The road whites call the milky way. 

For as all Jhe india ns krou). 

That jroadtu hunting countries go-. 


Like stepping stones, from star to Star, 
One very near , one very far, 


^ * r r* / 

JVIoiking indian walk with ccl're. 

Ml rf MM'ff 

And many man arrive not there. 
/AW)\ 


J ti-fced *. -- ** *=» * ' ''f 

Mtiny ^ vnany, step aside, 

JJH ,M ff\ 

Loam, 'doioneterhaly he ghde, 

4f'k A/ <MMia 

So fast) that game is ^jout to flight, 

Jl 

He civen and earth pass out of sight, 


All J All ¥ is dark; man doe s not knot* 

^ uMyfM\ ‘viA 

_., M ry_,cohere so many go. 


THE INDIANS' 
LITTLE STAR 

This is one of the first 
trial plates, made more to 
test the size of diagrams 
than as an article for cir¬ 
culation 

There are some signs in it 
which had letter hern 
changed. ,\‘ol n Id y. for the 
sign for ETERNALLY. 
it is better to use that 
used in the Vocabulary for 
A L w A Y S . Oth ers wi 11 need 
criticism, bat, on the t elude, 
it is a good, beginuing in 
sign urin ting. The origiit a 1 
was three times larger 

Pages of matter may hr set 
ii/> in the ti/pe sign, and a 
clean copy made. Th is eleaa 
copy ran hare its lines o'one 
orer with, a /ten. and thick 
India ink, then a photo - 
//late mode of reduced .size 
for extensive work. 

The above came - into my 
mind,one Christmas Eve: 

I made the diagrams in, 
the black ty/>e, and pr.nied 
it the next day, bat so /.uor - 
ly that it led me to change. 

Ju-go-iwm-pa-*IU, 


























































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WOLF AND WHITE MAN 



AA /%’ 

coming riding cattle driving . pretty s««n uj« moot. I told'' 

(Off fc## <M 

kiouio me tired. U)e sit down converse .sounwe part tcioun riding 

V 4 /}& ^ ^ 

nu 


r.-fcS4J£fe.*< chief's sf OR After alfW/esiiatjCewrW 

®? (Off *ttt ^rf > ^ 4?^ 


three kiowa Soldier tame to Ihcit plcice.he seeme titling there told htcflon 

1*6 


> .. 

he scout me walking road very tired. Kiowa. sard 


riloal sign tor JWnee* 
tli«follou)nig ma ij be only tuotrue 

fid iwg lohifemcm . L T.W. 


■I? ■■«■:■■■ -V . 

He Said,. Axoolf hungry walking road hunting food seeing 


¥A fa fa W& \wi£: 

perhaps I (.wasllike waif lavne.\o/»omeco»ifii 

**®> fa fig 

i 0 . A \oc 

awaybac)c u>h;t£ma M cowing riding. Utolf begin Totoulk very lame : he 

fa fa £>i ’ ^ 

lied to Whiteman, said he (tews) lame, yqfast not, ride i-l o-w. 
UJHite-man Vie ride veri^ s-l-o w tali good wi+h wolf. 

<t\ fafa m fa H 

Afteralittle white-man pitying u"!f dismounted, told wolf horse 

a "fawefa ^ 0 fit fa iw. 

sihon ride. UJolf riding, white-man walking .Wolf talking very 


m- 

»x \ • I /l / I VS! I .<v' . ,_, 

Mice. Pretty soon arrive at a forest, uio If whip horse gofdstuMe-man 


% # # , (WtTt 


astonished utalkiny road cdl alone . / Kiou»a %oldier ^ala # maybe so 

fa) fa Mi fafffl'i fa fa 

I 1h« same a* U)o If, talk very tired, »f Indian give 
a horse, perhaps 1 walk allttle time indiun with all right, 

fa, fa Ifa- fa fa Af ^0 

•Afheratime whip horse, go fost indiun see me 


EXP LAN ATI OX 

The story here called ‘‘ Wolf 
and White Man ” teas told to a 
t rou'd of Indians who were wait¬ 
ing to have their tickets for ra- 
tion made out by the ivho were sit¬ 
ting at table in the same room . 

Of course, ther were no spoken 
words; all ivasin their own way 
of doing business, and telling each 
oilier things before the very eyes of 
the irhite people, who were none 
the i riser for what they could see. 

I determined'■ to preserve the 
story, and some day I would give 
it in those same Indians in print. 

I told them I would and I seem 
to he on a fair way to do it. 

I consider this example as small 
as is practical to interline. 

In-go-nom-pa-shi. 


more not. 
























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HOW AN INDIAN READS SIGN PRINT. 

The optn hands, harks up. in-front of the breast, 
one walks (moves) forward,- while thetother walks 
(is drawn) backward toward the body in sort of a paw 
in,g movement, bark and forth two or three times. 

To teach the Indian, sign reading fiom, paper, he is 
told that the line is road, and, that the hands walk 
in the road. When hs, knorrs th is he puts his hands 
in position indicated in the diagram and makes them 
walk, (move) on, the road (line) toward the X , and, 
he makes an fvd.ian sign, which if he did not recognize at sight he cannot fail 
to know as h elnt akes th e and l known gesture. 



Wal-k'ng 


OTHER MEANS OF PICTURING IDEAS. 

COPIED FROM HARPERS MAGAINE. FOR MAY. 1870. 



This is a copy of a, symbolical petition to the Psesident of the United States in 
which the heads of several families joined. They were Chippewas, living on 
the borders of lake S iperior, and petitioned the President on the subject of 
some small lakes. The head of the party of petitioners (\)wasa chief of the 
Crane clan or tribe, lea ving for its totem the rude picture of a crane. The three 
imediately followtng him(2, 3, A) are of the Marten tribe. The next (5) is of 
the Bear tribe He is folio wed-by a chief op the Man-fish tribe, represented by 
the strange figure in No. 6 The merman is a frequent object among the sym¬ 
bols of tribes living near the lakes, and is the counterpart of the merman/ be- 
ieved in by Western Europeans for centuries. The last of the petitioners (7) is 
a chief of the Cat-fish tribe The totems of all these ajtpear in the drawing, 
which was made, by an Indian. The lines drmrn from the eye of the Crane, 
the leader of the party, to the eyes of all the other totem'c symbols denote that 
they all see alike in the matter; and the lints diawn from the heart of the. 
Crane denote that the petitioners all feel, alike. No.Q is a. stream running 
into Lake Superior. No. 8 are the little lakes, the subject of the petition. 











THB LATEST FIND. 



wr: . d (?$$$ Ok fftemcc c ^ 

'7*&rry JAljfc4*/Vt/ f* %/ty J 'Prc^y £i f* s 

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This example is a reduced copy of a drawing 
made by Cosard, A Kiowa. And a introduction of 
a letter from Big Head to Big Bow. both Kiowas . ’ 
I have tried to ’ discover the principles^ upon 
which it is based, bvt the more 1 think about it the 
more I am convinced that it is purely arbritrary 
Its origin is accredited to Mescal, a plant that is 
used in Indian Worship as an emblem of the sun. 

The button shaped seed, head is set in middle of 
a horse"'shoe-shaped mound, that nearly encircles 
a small fire which is kept up all night with small 
dry sticks, and all during the night, the worshipers 
keep their eyes fixed on this mescal-button, pray to 
it, ask it queestions, (mentally )andfrecieve answers, 
so I am told by trust-worthy Indians. 

An Indian saw this set \of characters while gaz-t 
ing at th is emblem of the sun during worship. 

Tne forms used betray a knowledge of pemnan- 
shipjthat leads me to believe that it is of recent or¬ 
igin, and ivholly arbitrary . 

These examples serve to show a desire on the part 
of Indians for some means of corespond cnee. 



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My study has been to red ace signs to their lowest terms, or to find the Primary Ores • 
hires. 

These have been shown in th e body of the Vocabulary. 

It is natural for a, learner tousle- what, is the sign for this , or that idea . or object > 
and the Indian will tell him "(rot none” probably there is no single gesture and it has 
to be shown by two or more gestures as- for instance: , i negro , has no single sign, but he 
wears a hat, the same as a white man, and he is Hark. There for e.first, sign for White• 
man; second- sign for Black. 

It is thus in most eases, one must think. More to cover all cases, if there is no one ges¬ 
ture, then use as many of stu h s’gns es will help yon oat. 

A list, of all the campoundsigns is impractical- because almost limitless 

A few will he. given, as illustration in which, the word- in the largest letter is the sign 
wanted- then Holies follow in / roper order. There are si par ate primary gesluresand are 
gestured one after the other as printed. 

First m aster the j/riin ary signs in the body of this work and their use as parts of cb 
compound, sign trill come into your mind as needed. 


ABOARD wagon, sit. steamboat • sit. 
ABSENT sit, not. see gone. 

ABUSE talk, bad, lies, see slander. 
ACROS river, go-over, prairie, go-over, 
mountain, go-over, etc, 

AFRAID OF NOTHING where?, all, 
afraid, not. 

AGENT (Indian), white-man, chief, dis¬ 
tribute, food, clothing, by-itself (free). 

LOOK -A LIKE, face, equal. 

AMBITIOUS, /tush, rise-above-others. 
ARTILLERY-MAN, white-man, soldier, 
gun, big stripes red. 

ATTACK. See charge. 

AUTUMN, tree, fall, (as leaves). 
BACHELOR, man, woman,, got-none, or 
man, married, not. 

BAD-LANDS, mountains, ravines. 
BARREN, horn , work, not, 

BUY. money, trade. 

BURN, fire, done-it-to-mr,bad. 

BROOK, river, little. 

BRAGGING, talk, brave, true, not. 
BORROW, give-me, soon I-give-you. 
BLACK-FOOT, (Indian) Sioux, Moccasin, 
black. 

BLANCHE, face, another,white. 

BOIL , pot, water, fire. 

BONE, (touch it) white. 

CANNOT, work, not, or pash-not. 

CANDID, truth, day, good. 

CERTAIN, A :now, good. 

CHEAT, horse, steal, lie ■ 

CHICKEN peck, fiy. 

CHIPPEWA, man, tree, sit. 

CITIZEN, white-man, free. 

COAL, rock, fire, good 
COOK, work, pot, fire, eat. 


CONGRESS, white-man, chief, many, east, 
sit. circle, converse. 

COURTING, man, woman, talk, rash, 
eat (‘h. 

DELIGHT-JOY. dance, or, heart, enovgh, 
(i. <?.. the heart rises to one’s throat). 
DREAM, sleep, see, know, good 
DROUTH, a-long-time, rain, not, grass, 
all-gone, the-same-as. fire. 

EAGLE, bird, tips. white. 

DISPATCH, a-stage, or, writing, wagon, 
go-fast. 

ELOPEMENT, woman, steal, ride. 
A-FEAST, work, kettles, circles, eat, full, 
up-to-the-chin. 

GHOST, die, night, iralk. 
GRANDMOTHER, mother, his, mother • 
GUN- POWDER, shoot, powder, black. 
HAIL, rain- cold, hard. 

HOMELY, face, bad. 

HOMESICK, heart, look. heart, sick . 
country, heart, tired. 

HON EST,heart- day, good, open as the day. 
HONEY, bird, small,bite, excrement, sweet. 
HOSPITAL, h ome, medieine. sick, sit. 
INFANTRY, white-man, soldiers, walk. 

INTE R P R ET E R, man, talk, his, talk. 

I M POSSIBLE, works, not. 

MONKEY, half, white-man, half, dog. 
A-MONTH, one, moon, wiped-out. 
A-NAVAHO, work, blanket, striped. 
PEOPLE, man, places, (where) sit. 

PLAN, work. See ROAD. 

PRESIDENT, white, chief, big. 

SUNDAY, day, sacred, day, seven. 

TEA, leaf, drink, good • 

VIRGIN, female, marry-not. 

YOUNGER, born, after . 






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FREE. WE 


TO THE 


READING MATT EE IX SIGXS. 

If one noshes go to a white mans house, he takes the road that leads there. 

In like manner, if ire wish to go to an India ns Tepee, we take the road that 
that will lead us there. 

But, the roads are dissimilar. The white mans, is a broad and easy aven¬ 
ue, and eommnnieations are easy. 

The Indians road is a narrow dim trail, is tedious, and communication 
is slow an l inconvenient • 

Xow, it is sitn dy eoident, that if, we try to reach the Indians tepee, and 
never go out of the white mans road■ we will never get there: If wc are in 
earnest, ire seek the trail that leads there, which, if we find and keep, ive 
71 ill sooner or later, reach his home. 

I have written, the above to illustrate this idea, namely: If you wish to 
reach the Indian .Mind, yon MUST adajtt, your method to the situation. 

Ton must follow ome Indian trail .to put yourself in communication 
with him. Ton should, not tower so high above him that, he is made small 
in his own esteem: nor c iter to h's w -a'cw'ss by talking Pidgeon-Indian, trea¬ 
ting him as a rhild. If yon try to teach him to read, and take our method , 
yon h ave a a, long a n l h t,rd road to travel, and in the case of adul ts, a lmost 
hopeless, if not a I together impi actual. 

But. if yon can. ndliz ■ the. Indian Sign, Language in your teaching, you, 
com*, at one*, la ‘ > /•' ■•,-!, c on, n vie it,inn w‘t i, the In linn mind and arc able 
to communicate any idea Indians can comprehend. 

Tv*, Sg i L in / i vg: being retln -al to print and its diagrams being simply 
Pictures of the Indians Gestures, a re e isidy recognr z"d by sign talk dig tribes. 

Hence reading m it ter printed, in Sign Pictures can be read by them pre¬ 
cisely noTi fie nrlnvpL-.s ts on • chU Inn re tl p'cbn n e,s of actions, and 

can tell the dfferrnce between the picture of boys in swim dig. from, a picture 
of gills sliding down hill. 

X> expensive schools are neede>l to teteh, picture reading: just give them, 
something printed in. sign diagrams, bell Pi ’■ m • 1, i nf P' Pie doited, line show¬ 
ing the.m wem ait in gesture pictures, and they soon, become readers of signs. 

D mptless su di r ‘salt, so si mole, y d so comprehensive, iv is never known, in, 
all the history of Pic ''t’r itn~e, of Pie w >rll By its me an Illiterate notion 
can be lustra de l 0,1 1 mist,?, I in Pivr eff >rb to a l tpb them selves to their new 
and naw doom • coat vet with their white n-dghbor.s. 

May this much of good grow out of the united efforts of several devoted 
worker's, is the earnest prayer of, Lewis F IIalley. 































































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REMARKS ESPECIAL. 

IT WILL BE NOTICED THAT IN THESE RELI¬ 
GIOUS CARDS . IN SOME CASES, INDIAN SYNTAX 
HAS BEEN FOLLOWED, WHILE IN OTHERS, IT IS 
DISREGARDED. THIS IS ; DONE FOR A PURPOSE. 

IT MUST BE BORNE IN MIND THIS IS A BOOK OF 
PROOFS OF MATTER PRINTED, ON SEPARATE CARDS 
AND EACH CARD IS A STUDY BY ITSELF, NOT ONLY 
FOR INDIANS. BUT WHITES WHOWILL NOTICE THE 
CRITICISMS OFj THE INDIANS AND THUS RULES 
THAT CAN BE F! E L I ED UPON WILL BE DEVELOPED. 

THEREFORE THESE FIRST EFFORTS!AT SIGN 
PRINTING N: AY WELL EE REGARDED AS TRIALLINES 
OF A SURVEYOR WHO WILL CORRECT HIS ERRORS 
WHEN HE FINIS HCW MUCH HE' HAS FALLEN OFF. 

NOTICE, 1 HAT IN THE SIGN WHICH REPRESENTS 

FAITH, cr. [ ELiEVE, the line of movement is 

DOWNWARD, THROUGHOUT THE CARDS,THIS IS ONE 
CF ’THE LINES PRECEDING STRAIGHT OUTWARD 
FRCM THE BODY. AND WI LL| HEREAFTER BE SET SO 
THAT THE LINE IN THE DIAGRAM SHOWING THE 
MOVEMENT WILL CO UPWARD, ON THE PAPER. 

THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR'POINTS TO BE DE¬ 
TERMINED BY FURTHER DEVELOP MENTS, SOME ARE 
ON TRIAL IN THESE CARDS. BUT NOT ALLUDED TO 
IN TYPE. ALL OF WHICH I HOPE TO SETTLE IN 
MY OWN-MIND BEFORE SAYING MUCH ABOUT THEM. 

I CLOSE WITH THE BELIEF THAT ANY, PERSON 
WHO EXAMINES WILL FIND THAT IT IS AS EASY 
TO PRINT SIGN PICTURES ONE AFTER ANOTHER 
IN CONSECUTIVE ORDER, AS. TO GESTURE IDEAS 
IN LIKE ORDER, AND IF, THE PICTURE REPRESEN' 
TATION IS CORRECT, THE INDIAN RECOGNIZES 
IT AS READILY AS PICTURES OF OBJECTS. 

A TABLE OF ERRATA 

IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT A TABLE OF ER¬ 
RORS SHOULD BE SUPPLIED. - I HAVE LOOKED 

THE WORK THROUCH AND DECIDED THAT IT IS IM¬ 
PRACTICAL SUCH A TABLE WOULD SWELL THIS 

VOLUMEOUT OF ALL PROPORTION. 

/// -go-now -pa-sh i. 











































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 

S. 1 , THE BOOK . C. 1 . 



LONGTIME ACO GOD make whites know road 



WRITE GOD HIS MEDICINE BOOK, BIBLE, CALLED. 


S. 1 . 


THE BOOK. 


C, 2. 



S, 


THE BOOK. 


C. 3. 



GOD 


HIS 

















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 


THE BOOK. 


C, 4, 



BRAVE. AFTER A LITTLE, HE CATCH IT TO KNOW WELL. 


S. 


THE BOOK . C. . 5. 



S . 1 . 


THE BOOK. 


C. 6 . 



GOD 




DAY BY 


DAY THE SAME LEAD MAN STRAIGHT 






























































































































































INDIAN SIGN TALK 


S. 1 . THE BOOK C. 7. 





S ’ 1 , THE BOOK > C. 8. 



S. I. THE BOOK. C. 9. 

























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INDIAN SIGN TALK 




HIS PEOPLE THE EARTH SIT ON A-LONC-TIME AGO. 


S. 1 . 


THE BOOK, 


C. 12, 



YOU CATCH IT KNOW THE BIBLE ROAD TIME THE-SAME - 




















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


THE BEATITUDES. 









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y v 

TAIN SIT. DISCIPLES HIS CAME THERE. JESUS SAID: 



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POOR I N-3 P I R I T 
A 


. 

BECAUSE 










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Blessed him mourning the-same s hall-have comfort. 






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heart meek 


BECAUSE 




THE-SAME THE-EARTH 


























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


THE BEATITUDES CONTINUED. 





BECAUSE 





AFTER-A-LITTLE 


Blessed him 



















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


THE BEATITUDES CONCLUDED 



- 




BU E S S E □ 





YOU 


k X 

ALL MAY-BE-SO MSN 




YOU 





YOU 


HEART 


M E . 


GLAD, BECAUSE MUCH YOU RECEIVE IN HEAVEN. 







*•*"'»* 

M A Y-B E-SQ MAN 


DO 




BAD, 


ARREST YOU, 


_ _ 

A 

<^0 

BECAUSE 




YOU 


GOOD : 



















































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 



S. 2. 


TREATY 


C, 2. 



S. 2. 


TREATY 


C. 3. 















































































































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 2. 


THE TREATY. 


C. 4 



S. 2 THE TREATY C, 5. 



ALL. SPIRIT BAD OPPOSING HIM MUST BE EXTERMINATED. 


S.2. THE TREATY. C.G. 



GOD POWERFUL. HZ WISE. HE SEES MAN. WOMAN 



M AY-BE - SO BAD. MAY - BE - SO GOOD . HE RASH NOT. 



























































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S . 2. 


THE TREATY 


C. 7, 





EAD. NOV/! HANDS-TALK PRINT TELLS THIS TREATY. 

























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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 2. THE TREATY C. lO, 



GOOD,EXCHANGE M ANTHE SAME , SPIRIT BAD LEAD WRONG , 


S. 2, THE TREATY C. 1 1 . 



S, 2. 



I 


THE TREATY 



RECEIVE NOT SPIRIT BAD 


C. 12. 



HEART MINE. 




KNOW ROAD HEAVEN LIFE. 





























































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 2, THE TREATY C. 13. 



BLOOD TREATY MINE TRUE SAVING MAN FROM EVIL. 


S. 2* 


THE TREATY 


C. 14. 



S. 2, THE TREATY C. 15, 



TREATY SAME GOOD. MAN. WOMAN. CHILD RECEEVE JESUS, 



DAY THE 



SAME I GIVE HEART HIS HEAVEN LIFE. 


















































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INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 




COD 




STRONG TO SAVE YOU. 


S, 3. 


RECEIVE JESUS NOW 


C. 1. 



NOW 



GOD 



HIS TREATY 


& 





SAVING YOU THE SAME 



MADE TRUE WITH BLOOD OF JESUS, THE-SAME GOD 




JESUS. 




























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INDIAN SIGN 


TALK. 


S . 3. 


RECEIVE JESUS NOW. 


C. 2. 




S. 3. 


RECEIVING JESUS NOW 




HIM 


C. 3. 


LOVE 


NOW . 



































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S, 3. 


.RECEIVING JESUS NOW 


C. 4. 



IF YOU RCEIVE NOT JESUS NOW, TIME GOD 



HIS C R E A T 


DAY 


COME S , 


HE 



BAD, 




DAY THE-SAME LIKE NIGHT TO-YOU 


S, 3. 



A 


RECEIVING JESUS NOW. 



i 


GOD WANTS TO-SAVE 

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HIS 








I F YOU A R E - S 





1 wm j v u*- 
VT \ I 

YOU SCORN GOD 


HIS LOVE 

























































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 3. RECEIVING JESUS NOW C. 7. 




DAY YOU RECEIVE SPIRIT-BAD, YOU-ARE LIKE MAN 



FIRE DO . HIM BAD, HE GO-UNDER THE-SAME. 


S. 3 


RECEIVING JESUS NOW 


C. 8, 



IF YOU RECEIVE NOT GOD HIS LOVE, 



IF YOU RECEIVE NOT JESUS, DAY THE-SAME 

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ARE-CUT-OFF FROM COOD FOREVER 


YOU 














































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 3. 


RECEIVING JE8US NOW 


C. lO. 



S. 3. RECEIVING JESUS NOW. C. \\. 




JESUS NOW , 


TIME 


THE-SAME 


YOU 


SAVED NOT. 


























INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


S. 3. 


REEEIVE JESUS NOW 


C. 12. 




SAME-AS FIRE-BURN HIM 


BAD 


H A V E-S O R ROW, 


FOREVER' 


JESUS SAID 



ARISE FROM GRAVE; THCSE-WHQ HAVE-DONEGOOD REACH 


















A DISTANT RELATION 


MISSIONARIES TELL US THAT CHINESE WRITTEN OR 
PRINTED CHARACTERS ARE REALLY PICTURES OF OB¬ 
JECTS, AND AS SUCH CAN BE READ BY ALL EDUCA¬ 
TED CHINESE, AND SERVE AS A MEDIUM OF COMMU¬ 
NICATION BETWEEN MEN OF DIFFERENT PROVINCES 
AND DIALECTS WHO COULD NOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND 
THE SPOKEN LANGUAGE OF EACH OTHER. 

FOR INSTANCE. A LAWSUIT IS ALWAYS REPRESEN¬ 
TED BY A PICTURE WHICH TO THE CHINESE MIND 
REPRESENTS TWO DOGS FIGHTING, AND ALL MEN UNDER¬ 
STAND THAT WRITTEN OR PRINTED CHARACTER FROM 
ONE END OF THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE TO THE OTHER. 
ALTHOUGH EACH MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT WORD OR 
PHRASE TO EXPRESS IT. THE SCRPTURES PRINTED 
IN THE ORDINARY CHINESE COULD IF CIRCULATED BE 
READ GENERALLY, ALTHOUGH THE MISSIONARY GOING 
FROM ONE PROVINCE TO ANOTHER COULD NOT PREACH 
SO AS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. 

THIS ILLUSTRATES THE WAY IN WHICH THESE CARDS 
WILL CONVEY GOSPEL LESSONS TO WIDELY SEPARA¬ 
TED TRIBES OF INDIANS WHO ARE FAMILLIAR WITH 
THEIR ALMOST UNIVERSAL SIGN LANGUAGE. 






































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S, 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS C.l, 



S. 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C. 2, 




















































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


3. 4, 


ROAD TO - RECEIVE JESUS. 


C. 3. 



SPEAK 









SACRED 


v-^ 

MAKE 






HEART 


YOU R S NEW. 


S. 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS C. 4. 



















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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C . 5. 




S. 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C. 6. 



IF MAN RECEIVES JESUS 




SPIRIT TO 


A L W A Y S 


H E 


V/ A N T S 


SACRED 



SPEAK-TO 



HEART 


HIS. 
























INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


S . 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C. 7. 



STUDIES TO-KNOW-WELL GOD. TO-LOVE HIM BRAVE AHEAD, 

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LOVE NEICHBOR HIS THE - SAME -AS HE LOVES SELF 


S. 4 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C. 8. 





















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S . 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C. 1 1 . 



IF MAN 



RECEIVES JESUS HE RECEIVES 



A-P E A C E F U L-H E A RT THE SAME GOD HIS FRIENDSHIP, 



S. 4. 


ROAD TO RECEIVE JESUS 


C. 12. 














































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S .05. 



JESUS SAID TO DISCIPLES HIS; I 


LOVE 


YOU 



SAME-AS HEAVEN-FATHER LOVES ME. KEEP LOVE MINE. 


S 05. 


JESUS SAID. 


C’ 2. 



S. 05* 


JESUS SAID. 


C, 3. 



LOVE BRAVE! THE - SAME MAKE MAN DIE TO SAVE ANOTHER. 
























INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 05. 


JESUS SAID. 


C. 4. 




JESUS TOLD DISCIPLES HIS: 


HE WHO OBEYS 


HEAVEN 




JESUS SAID TO DISCIPLES: HEAVEN FATHER WANTS NOT 



TO ABANDON ONE 



L I TT L 



S 05. 


JESUS SAID 


C, 6’ 




MINE 



MINE. 















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S, 05. 


JESUS SAID. 


C . 7 



S. 05. 


JESUS SAID 


C. 8 



S, O 5 


JESUS SAID’ 


C. 9. 



HEART MINE QUIET THE SAME TROUBLED NOT WITH SELF 





































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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


S. 05 


JESUS SAID 


C. 10 . 



S. 05 


JESUS SAID 


C • I 1 , 



S. C5. 


JESU- SAID 


C. 1 2 









































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S . 05 . 


JESUS, SAID. 


C . 13. 





S. 05. 


JESUS SAID 


C- 14. 



S, 05, 


JESUS SAID 


C. 15. 




HAVE MERCY- ON NEIGHBOUUR 
















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 05, 


JESUS SAID 


C. 16 



S. 05. 


JESUS SAID. 



IF SACRED SPIRIT 


MAK E S NOT MAN 



NEW NOW, MAN ENTERS 


NOT 


GOD HIS KINGDOM. 


S. 05, 


JESUS SAID, 


C. IS. 



I ALONE MAKE MAN COME TO HEAVEN FATHER. 














































































































. 














INDIAN SIGN TALK 


S, 5, JESUS SAID C. 1, 






S, 5. 


JESUS SAID 


C. 2, 


























INDIAN SIGN T AVC. 


S. 5. 


JESUS SAID 


C. 3 




J 








HIS KINGDOM TH2-SAVIE-AS A-LITTLE 






CHILD ACCEPTS THE-SAMR, HE ENTERS-IT 


NOT . 


S. 5. 


JESUS SAID 


C. 4. 

































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 5. 


JESUS SAID 


C. 5. 



J ESUS SAID 



I - A M THE-LIGHT OF ALL-THE-EARTH, IF MAN 



S. 5. 


JESUS SAID 


C. 6. 



• * 

JESUS SAID; now a-little time THE-LIGHT-is with you 



WALK STRAIGHT-ROAD NOW YOU HAVE H E A V E N - LIG H T. IF 








































JNPIAN SIGN TAUK- 








HEAVEN FATHER YOURS KNOWS-WELL THINGS you need. 

















ON 


PRAYER 





WHEN YOU PRAY IF HEART YOURS BELIEVES YOU 

















































































































































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INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


ON PRAYER 





YOU 


ASK 


HOLY 


SPIRIT 



HIM . 



NOT 


ROAD MINE, 


PRAYER HIS SAME I-LISTEN-TO NOT. 






















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


ON PRAYER 




HE RECEIVES GOOD 




THINGS 



YOU WANT MAY-BE-SO GOOD, MAY-BE-SO BAD 




G I VESTHE - SAME NOT. YOU DO - IT-TO CHILD YOURS SAME. 











































INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S. 6. 


GOD HIS LAW OF LOVE 


C. 1 . 



LOVE GOD AHEAD. LOVE HIM HEART YOURS ALL, 






WORSHIP 


S. 6. 


CCD HIS LAW CF LCVE 


C. 2. 



WORSHIP GOD, SEEING HIM NOT, THINK STRONG HEART 



YOURS; HIM GREAT-MYSTERY. NAME HIM NOT IF YOU 




















INDIAN SIGN TALK 


S. 6. 


GOD HIS LAW OF LOVE. C. 3. 



DAY SEVEN- IS MINE :WORK SIX 





NOT. KEEP IT SACRED, 


S. 6. GOD HIS LAW OF LOVE. C. 4. 



LOVE NEIGHBOR YOURS SAME- AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. 







































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INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


S . 6. 


GOD HIS LAW OF LOVE 


C. 5. 



KILL 



NOT 




WOMAN, 






NOT . 


S. 0. 


goo h;b law of love 


C. 0. 




T O-N E I G H 8 O R 







HIS. WANT NOT SERVANT HIS CATTLE HIS. 

















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INDIAN 


SIGN TALK. 


S. 6. 


GOD HIS LAW OF LOVE 


C. 7. 




S. 6. 


GOD HU LAW OF LOVE. 


C. 8. 



JESUS SAID: 



ALL 




LAW SITS WORD THE-SAME: 
















INDIAN SIGN TALK. 


PSALM 19. 





HISwonderful power 







DAY IT SPEAKS. 



n, 

THE SKY GOD 



MAKES LIKE A-TEPEE-FOR THE-SUN. 



THE-SUN LIKE 






















PSALM 19 CON. 





THE-WORDO F-GOD SUREMAKING WISEMAN KNOWING LITTLE 





TELLS 


WALK 


MAN 


I S-A-CLEAN ROAD, 


TH E-RO A D GOD 





































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INDIAN SIGN TALK 


PSALM l9. CON. 




GOD HIS JUDGEMENTS-are all richt and-true 






YOU WANT TO POSSESS THEMMORE-THAN COLD, 




THE-SAME MO R E GOOD-TH AN FOODTO-TASTE 













PSALM (9 


CONCLUDED. 











MAKE WO R D S, 


-THY SIGHT. 




O-GOD STRENGH mine. SALVATION mine. 





































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/ 

THE LORDS’ PRAYER IN THE INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE. 



OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN SACRED THY NAME . THY 



KINGDOM COMl., THY LAWS THE-EARTH SIT-QN, THE-SAME-AS 






IN-ROAD COOD. BECAUSE THINE THE - KINGDOM, THINE 



THE-POWER, THINE THE-GLORY. FOREVER, 




AMEN. 


These Sign Diagrams are copyrighted by Lewis V. Had ley. hid. Territory, 

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